Run Dindigul special train for a month, MPs tell Southern Railway

COIMBATORE: Pollachi MP K Shanmugasundaram and Dindigul MP P Velusamy have shot off separate letters to the Southern Railway, seeking to extend the services of special train between Coimbatore and Dindigul via Palani by a month, as a large number of devotees from Coimbatore are expected to visit Palani to take part in temple celebrations.
The special train with 12 compartments was introduced for six days on Friday to clear Pongal rush. The train (number 06077) leaves Coimbatore at 9.20am and reaches Dindigul at 1pm. On return journey, the train (number 06078) departs Dindigul at 2pm and reaches Coimbatore at 5.30pm.
Railway users said the train has been benefitting thousands of people. “If the train continues its services, it will help people attend kumbabishekam and thaipusam festivals in Palani temple,” one of them said.
Following the demand from the rail users, Pollachi and Dindigul MPs wrote to the Southern Railway officials to extend the train service by a month. They urged the officials to run the train till Bodinayakkanur in Theni district to benefit a larger number of people.
The MPs also asked the Southern Railway officials to run Mettupalayam-Tirunelveli train via Palani thrice a week. At present, the train is operated just once a week.