Kovai-Pollachi train on track from today

According to the railways, train no. 06083 Coimbatore- Pollachi Passenger Special will leave Coimbatore at 5.15 am and reach Pollachi at 6.45 am, while another train no 06085 will leave Coimbatore at 6 pm and reach Pollachi at 7.15 pm.

Similarly, in the return direction, train no. 06084 Pollachi- Coimbatore passenger special will leave Pollachi at 7.15 am and reach Coimbatore at 8.30 hours, while train no. 06086 will leave Pollachi at 7.45 pm and reach Coimbatore at 9 pm. The train, which will stop at Podanur and Kinathukkadvu, will have six unreserved coaches and two luggage cum brake van coaches.

The new trains on the Coimbatore-Pollachi section has come as a blessing in disguise for the passengers.

“Lack of trains in this route would have forced people to shell out more on travel in the crowded buses. We are now happy as we can enjoy a hassle-free journey on the trains,” said R Shanmugam, who commutes to his college to Coimbatore from Pollachi daily.

The fare for an ordinary bus to Pollachi has been increased to Rs 25 from Rs 17, while express bus fare has been increased to Rs 34 from Rs 23. Private buses which are yet to effect a hike on the section is also likely to follow suit. The fare in the train is just Rs 15.

After completion of the BG, the railways was operating just a single passenger train from Coimbatore –Pollachi using idle rakes (coaches) and locomotive of the Shoranur - Coimbatore - Thrissur train. As the train was operated during the afternoon it ran almost empty causing huge loss to the railways.

Luckily, the railways has suspended this service and commenced the new services instead. “It is a boon to students and office goers. We now hope that the railways will introduce more trains connecting southern districts said a passenger.