Mumbai, Oct. 13 -- Kovilpalayam railway station near Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district is set to reopen after a gap of about 34 years, following sustained demands from passengers and passenger associations. The station is located between Kinathukadavu and Pollachi and was closed around 1992, reportedly because of poor patronage.
The Palakkad Railway Division has decided to revive the station, and Southern Railway has granted permission for the work. The project includes the construction of a crossing line and other infrastructure needed to restart train operations. Railway officials approved the proposal after Pollachi MP K Eswarasamy raised the issue in Parliament.
The campaign for reopening the station was led by R Senthil Kumara Moorthy, former president of Mullupadi Gram Panchayat, along with local residents and passenger groups. The demand was pursued for three years through petitions and meetings with the Southern Railway general manager, the divisional railway manager and elected representatives.
Local campaigners said the station would serve a growing population and benefit several industries operating in the region. Hundreds of migrant workers currently travel by bus to Coimbatore to board trains to their native places, while college students and office-goers depend largely on buses and two-wheelers. The station's revival is expected to reduce travel costs and improve access to rail services for residents along the route.
The Southern Railway headquarters in Chennai has sanctioned Rs. 353.6 mn for establishing a new crossing station at Kovilpalayam, according to Palakkad Railway Division officials. Work will begin through the tender process, and the station is expected to reopen after the infrastructure is completed in more than a year. The station building was demolished during gauge conversion, so a new structure will be required; the premises are currently overgrown and neglected.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.