While people of Pollachi welcomed operation of new trains after a gap of five years towards Madurai covering two Murugan temples, residents of Palani, especially season ticket holders and pilgrims from northern districts, are disgusted with cancellation of two day-time passenger trains.
After Tiruchendur-Palani passenger train (7.45 a.m.), there will be no train from Palani to Dindigul or Madurai till evening. Earlier, pilgrims from northern districts will reach Palani on Palani-Chennai Express in the morning and return to Dindigul by daytime passenger trains to board Chennai-bound trains crossing Dindigul at noon. Now, they have to wait till 5.45 p.m. to board a Dindigul train.
While introducing specials to Pollachi, Southern Railways cancelled Train Nos.56771 and 56773 leaving from Palani at 09.15 a.m. and at 11.15 a.m. respectively, and also passenger train Nos.56774 and 56776 leaving Dindigul at 3.15 p.m. and 4.20 p.m. respectively.
Thousands of season ticket holders travel on passenger trains from Palani to Dindigul. Another passenger train after Pollachi-Tiruchendur passenger train was essential to meet the growing demand of commuters, said T. Chinnasamy, a season ticket holder at Palani.
Earlier, Palani-Chennai Express was running twice in Dindigul-Palani section as local train. Extension of this express to Pollachi cancelled these shuttle trips.
On completion of gauge conversion between Pollachi and Coimbatore, Palani section would have more trains, said railway officials.
Nagercoil-Coimbatore Express and passenger trains that were running through Karur, Erode and Tirupur would be diverted through Palani section, they added.
