01/02/2023
🚦🚊🚥🚆
Hi its from Joy Tourism!!!
Coimbatore Railway Station turns 150 years on 1st February 2023.
On 16th of April 1853, the first passenger train in India started between Bombay and Thane for a distance of 34 kms. About a decade later in 1862, Podanur Railway Junction was built in Coimbatore whereas North got it's railway station at Delhi in 1864.
On the 1st of February 1873, A halt station was established in Coimbatore city excatly 150 years ago in the Podanur - Mettupalayam line which was under the Coimbatore railway division of South Indian railway. Chennai central was opened months later in 1873.
Railways at Coimbatore was the most important infrastructure development from 1873 to 1917. In terms of the economy, railways played a major role in integrating markets and increasing trade. As the twentieth century progressed, railways became a force for independence and democracy.
Old Trains of Coimbatore still in operation:
Nilgiri Express , Madras to Coimbatore - 3rd February, 1864.
Island Express , Coimbatore to Bangalore - 1st August 1864.
Rameswaram Express , CBE to Rameswaram - 24rth February 1914.
Madurai Express, CBE to Madurai - 15th October 1915.
Trichy Express, CBE to Trichy - 29th December 1922.
T Garden Express, Ooty to Cochin Harbour terminus - 1st April 1944.
West coast Express, Mangalore to Chennai - 1st April 1965
Kovai Express, Madras to Coimbatore - 14th April 1977.
Cheran Express, Coimbatore to Chennai - 5th July 1984.
Many of these trains only pass through Coimbatore today which used to earlier originate from Coimbatore Junction. Today, About 130 train movements are handled every day in CBE which is an A1 grade station and it generates the third highest revenue in Southern Railways and contributes 45% in total revenue of Salem division. About ten million ( *one crore* ) passengers used the station last year.
The increase in speed of travel has been steady & progressive. Over the years, high-speed trains have enabled better quality of life for professionals in Coimbatore, especially in the age of globalization. However, the effect of this has been generally restricted to medium distance and suburban travel. The future high-speed rail travel from Coimbatore to various cities should be economical, comfortable, and dependable.
While celebrating 150 years, its would be appropriate to develop Coimbatore Junction at the earliest under the Station redevelopment program launched by Government of India and also create four new additional platforms along with the six existing ones to cater to the increasing demand of passengers.
Abundant land is available at Kavundampalayam, Podanur and few other places to build Coach Maintainence depot, additional Pit lines with a capacity of 26 coach length and catwalk facilities
After spending more than Rs 1000 crores for guage conversion, the Restoration of five train services from CBE to Thoothukudi, Kollam, Rameswaram, Madurai and Dindigul via Palani which is the shortest route is pending for approval in the Railway Board.
The long pending demand of an overnight train service between Coimbatore and Bangalore must be considered favorably.
In continuation to the announcement of Vande Bharat trains with sleeper class coaches, three trains as planned must be allocated for Coimbatore immediately.
With all these facilities, Coimbatore will have the best railway infrastructure to cater to the growth of this city which will inturn bring prosperity to many people in this region.
Happy 150 years and more to come, Coimbatore Railway Junction.
A short video.
https://youtu.be/W9rjyp-6Z_w
கோவை ரயில்நிலையம் 150வது ஆண்டை கொண்டாடும் நேரத்தில் ரயில் பயனர்கள் சார்பில் பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைகள் வைக்கப்பட்டுள....
