Coimbatore railway users seek Jan Shatabdi extension to Chidambaram

Coimbatore Railway users’ organisations have urged Southern Railway to extend the Coimbatore–Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express to Chidambaram on a three-month trial and operate Coimbatore–Tiruchendur trains as regular weekly services, at least during the Deepavali–Pongal period. In a joint representation submitted to Southern Railway General Manager on November 6, Citizens’ Voice Coimbatore (CVC) and the Southern Railway Users Federation of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry also sought the introduction of a direct train service connecting Coimbatore with Erode, Tiruppur, Oddanchatram, Madurai and Thoothukudi.

The organisations said the proposed service would benefit vegetable growers and traders from Mettupalayam and Oddanchatram, textile industries and exporters in Tiruppur and Erode, and pilgrims travelling to Madurai. It would also improve connectivity for traders and commercial establishments dependent on Thoothukudi Port.