The Vice Chairperson of Kongu Global Forum requests improvements to Podanur Railway Junction, renaming it Coimbatore South Junction, and enhancing facilities to accommodate the city's growing population and economy.
Coimbatore:
Vanitha Mohan, Vice Chairperson of the Kongu Global Forum, has sent a formal request to the Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, advocating for significant improvements to the Podanur Railway Junction. The request highlights the historical significance of the station, which was the first in the Western Region of Tamil Nadu, established in 1862. Given Coimbatore's population growth to over thirty lakhs and its burgeoning economy attracting workers nationwide, there is an urgent need for additional railway infrastructure.
The proposal includes several key demands: immediate approval for train maintenance facilities like pit lines, stabling lines, a coaching depot, and a train watering facility; brief halts for the Coimbatore to Mangalore Intercity Express (Train No. 22610) and the Thoothukudi/Mettupalayam/Thoothukudi bi-weekly Express (Train Nos. 16765/16766). The letter also emphasizes the necessity to rename Podanur Junction to Coimbatore South Junction in line with the railway's policy of renaming stations within major cities.
Additionally, Vanitha Mohan advocates for a new entrance on the northern side of the station to facilitate easier access for passengers from the central part of the city. The letter underscores that these improvements and the renaming would mutually benefit the station and the city's residents, suggesting that Podanur be declared a second terminal to better manage the increased rail traffic.
Vanitha Mohan, Vice Chairperson of the Kongu Global Forum, has sent a formal request to the Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, advocating for significant improvements to the Podanur Railway Junction. The request highlights the historical significance of the station, which was the first in the Western Region of Tamil Nadu, established in 1862. Given Coimbatore's population growth to over thirty lakhs and its burgeoning economy attracting workers nationwide, there is an urgent need for additional railway infrastructure.
The proposal includes several key demands: immediate approval for train maintenance facilities like pit lines, stabling lines, a coaching depot, and a train watering facility; brief halts for the Coimbatore to Mangalore Intercity Express (Train No. 22610) and the Thoothukudi/Mettupalayam/Thoothukudi bi-weekly Express (Train Nos. 16765/16766). The letter also emphasizes the necessity to rename Podanur Junction to Coimbatore South Junction in line with the railway's policy of renaming stations within major cities.
Additionally, Vanitha Mohan advocates for a new entrance on the northern side of the station to facilitate easier access for passengers from the central part of the city. The letter underscores that these improvements and the renaming would mutually benefit the station and the city's residents, suggesting that Podanur be declared a second terminal to better manage the increased rail traffic.