Coimbatore Flyovers getting ready !?
Flyovers at Ondipudur on Tiruchi Road and at Ukkadam on Valankulam would be ready by April 28 and July 31 respectively, General Manager of Southern Railway Thomas Vargheese said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters at Podanur, Mr.Vargheese said the works were in final stages at both places. The Coimbatore - Nagercoil overnight direct express train would be introduced before the year-end. He also assured to review the schedule for the summer special train to Nagercoil to have them scheduled for weekends instead of weekdays. Works on the Manamadurai - Rameshwaram section would be completed by May 15. The train services could be resumed with weekly six services from Chennai to Rameshwaram. The railway was aware of the need for overnight direct train connectivity to Bangalore and the possibilities were being explored, he said.
The terminal facilities at Coimbatore junction such as extra platform and additional pit lines were being constructed at Rs. 12 crore while coach guidance facilities were being provided at Rs. 42 crore. A second subway near the RPF station would come up at Rs. 3.66 crore within one-and-a-half years to ease congestion at the main and western side entrance.
Concourse was being developed with landscaping and lighting besides platform surface improvements at Rs. 54 lakh. In total, works worth over Rs. 1.4 crore were being spent on improving the passenger amenities at Coimbatore Junction. Air-conditioned waiting room and multi-storied two-wheeler parking would be constructed at Rs. 30 lakh and 40 lakh each.
The Union Minister of State for Railways had assured to get special sanction for Rs. 100-crore passenger amenities in the stations in Southern Railway, though the sanction this year was only Rs. 25 crore. Last year, the Southern Railway had spent about Rs. 42 crore for providing passenger amenities.
