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Coimbatore: Days after the railway board made an announcement regarding operation of a train between Mettupalayam and Coimbatore with express unreserved booking, commuters urged the board not to increase the ticket price.
A statement from the Southern Railway said the board has permitted operation of a mainline electric multiple unit (Memu) special train between Mettupalayam and Coimbatore from March 15. The train, which would be operated on all days expect Sundays, will leave Mettupalayam at 8.20am and reach the Coimbatore Railway Junction at 9.05am. It will leave Coimbatore at 5.55pm and reach Mettupalayam at 6.40pm.
Before the lockdown, fares were equivalent to a passenger train, a railway official said. “But now there would be a slight increase in fare as the seats would be filled through express/mail unreserved booking system. We are yet to receive information regarding the exact fare structure.”
Coimbatore: With the railways yet to restart unreserved and local trains, thousands of people travelling to the city for work from Mettupalayam, Pollachi, Palakkad and Singanallur are forced to use their own vehicle or get into crowded buses, which make them more susceptible to catching Coronavirus.
“This has led to taking buses from Palakkad to Coimbatore, which cost eight to nine times more than the train,” said Madhavi, a GST department employee, who travels from Palakkad daily. “It costs Rs 5,000 a month, compared to the Rs 270 one-month pass.”
Sangavi from Pollachi, who has now begun taking bus to work, said it takes at least 10 minutes longer. “Though the bus is faster, it must take roundabouts due to the Athupalam flyover work and due to the election. It is also more tiring.”
Old locomotive engine installed at Erode Railway Junction
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The diesel engine was used on metre gauge till conversion into broad gauge.
An old locomotive engine was mounted on a pedestal constructed at the entrance of the Erode Railway Junction here on Tuesday.
Before the introduction of the electric locomotives, the diesel powered locomotives were widely used both for the passenger and goods trains.
Withdrawn from service
However, after the wider usage of electric locomotives, most of the diesel locomotives were withdrawn from services, while it is still being used for shunting and transporting empty rakes.
The engine displayed at the entrance of the junction was used on metre gauge and after the metre gauge was converted into broad gauge, the service of the engine was withdrawn.