Chennai Central-Coimbatore-Chennai Central Shatabdi Express trains will stop at Katpadi Junction on experimental basis for six months. On Wednesday, M. Thambidurai, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha flagged off the experimental stoppage of the train at Katpadi.
Naveen Gulati, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai division, Southern Railway, told reporters that such stoppages start on experimental basis and will be reviewed. “We will look at the patronage for the train,” he said, adding that the Railways will decide on permanent stoppage based on commuters’ needs.
With this, the service will have five stoppages — Katpadi, Jolarpet, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur — between Chennai Central and Coimbatore. This move, according to Southern Railway, will benefit people of Vellore district and large sections of business class travellers, a press release said.
It was in November 2014 that Linke Hoffman Busche coaches were introduced in the Chennai-Coimbatore Shatabdi Express service. As a gift for passengers on Republic Day this year, “Anubhuti” coach was inducted in the service. This coach features additional facilities such as reclining chairs, infotainment TV, LED reading lights and attendant call buttons. The Shatabdi rake has seven AC chair cars, one AC Executive Chair Car and one Anubhuti Chair Car coaches, the release said.
Timing
The trains will stop for a minute at Katpadi Junction under this experimental basis.
Train number 12243 Chennai-Coimbatore Shatabdi Express will arrive at Katpadi at 8.53 a.m. and leave at 8.54 a.m. Train number 12244 Coimbatore-Chennai Central Shatabdi Express will arrive at Katpadi at 8.14 p.m. and leave at 8.15 p.m.
No unmanned level crossings
Mr. Gulati said that they have eliminated all unmanned level crossings in Chennai division.
Among others, Commercial Taxes Minister K.C. Veeramani, Member of Parliament (Arakkonam) G. Hari, Collector S.A. Raman and K. Manoj, Additional DRM were present on the occasion.
