Without much fanfare, Palani-Pollachi Express Special started its first journey at 7.45 a.m. on Friday from Palani railway station. There were neither festoons nor decorations to this special train running for the first time in this new broad gauge section.
With railway officials waving green flag, the express special, like any other regular train, departed from Palani station with sizable number of passengers to Pollachi. The hustle and bustle was only at two unreserved ticket counters as passengers rushed in the last minute to buy tickets to go to Udumalpet or Pollachi. A total of 320 tickets were sold on the first day.
Chennai-Palani Express train has been extended as Express Special to Pollachi. Neither the public nor the railway officials were excited over the departure of this express.
At 7.40 a.m., a passenger train with simple decoration, which departed from Pollachi at 6.10 a.m., entered Palani station. A few local leaders of the ruling party and their supporters assembled on platform two to welcome it. It was the first passenger train running on this track from Pollachi. After a brief halt, the train left for Tiruchendur.
But passengers of the passenger train were jubilant as they waved hands and greeted those waiting on the platform. The intention of a majority of passengers was only to travel on the first train. The Southern Railways has extended Palani-Tiruchendur fast passenger up to Pollachi. Earlier the passenger departed from Palani at 7.45 a.m. From now on, it will depart from Pollachi at 6.10 a.m. There will be no change in its scheduled time from Palani station. This train will connect two abodes of Lord Murugan.
On return journey, Palani-Chennai Express will depart from Pollachi at 4.45 p.m. and reach Palani at 6.10 p.m. It will stop only at Udumalpet.
