Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) has urged the Southern Railway to reconsider its decision to not to revive the Kovilpalayam railway station on the Coimbatore – Pollachi section.
The Coimbatore – Podanur – Pollachi section is currently being converted to broad gauge and the works are expected to be completed by next year.
MDMK district secretary V. Easwaran had written to the Southern Railway seeking revival of Kovilpalayam Railway Station.
But Southern Railway declined to re-open the station. The station was closed about ten years ago due to “poor passenger patronage,” according to the railway sources. Railway also added that the place was well connected by road and frequent town bus services were available from Coimbatore and Pollachi. It also mentioned that more than 500 bus services are linking Kovilpalayam with Tirupur, Coimbatore, and Pollachi. Railway had stated that people in and around the area prefer bus services for their travel needs rather than train. Responding to the reply, Mr. Easwaran said that the reply was shocking and amusing. Just because a place was connected by road, it could not be denied train service, he said. There were a number of places connected both by railway and road. Provision of train service would only help in reducing the road traffic and thereby reduce accidents.
Referring to the reply that more than 500 buses were operating via Kovilpalayam, Mr. Easwaran said that it only showed that there was enough passenger potential.
People from five panchayats had presented a memorandum seeking train services because it would be less costly.
He pointed out that Pollachi – Palakkad section, which was almost a similar length, has six railway stations, whereas Coimbatore – Pollachi section would be having just one railway station/halt in between – at Kinathukkadavu. This is a “clear case of neglect of the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu by the Palakkad division,” Mr. Easwaran said.
