[ Date : 2011 Feb 25 ]
The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore is deeply disappointed that none of the demands of Coimbatore have found its way even in this Union Railway Budget announced today by the Hon’ble Railway Minister.
Though Coimbatore is an industrial hub with many engineering industries, foundries small scale industries, textile mills, automobile industry, hospitals and educational institutions, people of this city is totally neglected as far as railway facilities are concerned. The city attracts a large number of train travellers from all over the country.
The long pending pleas of people of this region for introduction of an over night express train between Coimbatore and Bangalore and train from Coimbatore to Jodhpur, upgradation of Coimbatore Junction and North Coimbatore Railway Station have not been considered at all.
No hike in passenger fares, introduction of a new express train between Coimbatore and Tuticorin Link Express and passenger train between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam (for 6 days), passengers buying Railway tickets by using Smart Card and Multi Purpose Pan India Smart Card, increasing the concession twice in a year for Press correspondents and their family, are welcome measures in the budget.
We, on behalf of people of this region appeal to the Hon’ble Railway Minister to consider the demands of Coimbatoreans for getting their basic needs of railway amenities on priority basis, particularly for provision of lift in Coimbatore Railway Junction which would be useful for the aged, sick people, physically handicapped and Senior Citizens.
Chamber hopes that the Railway Minister will fulfill the Railway requirements of people of this Coimbatore region atleast in due course and will commence running of the Coimbatore-Tuticorin and Coimbatore-Mettupalayam trains at the earliest.
- M. Krishnan, President