Coimbatore Jn. generates ₹325 crore in 2023-24, case made for a separate division
The revenue of Coimbatore Junction is next only to Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore; but it is more than the revenue of other divisions in the Southern Zone encompassing T.N. and Kerala
With ₹ 325 crores earning in 2023-2024 by Coimbatore railway junction, which is the third highest in the Southern Railways, Coimbatore should be made a separate railway division, say rail enthusiasts.
The revenue of Coimbatore Junction is next only to Chennai Central (₹1216 crore) and Chennai Egmore (₹564 crore).
Notably, Coimbatore Junction has generated more revenue than other divisions in the Southern Zone encompassing Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
As per the criteria laid down by the Railway Reforms Committee, new zones / divisions are set up keeping in view the workload, accessibility, geographic sprawls and other administrative / operational requirements consistent with the needs of the economy and e§ciency, and not on ethnic, linguistic and territorial considerations.
There is a strong case for forming a divisional headquarters in Coimbatore since there are three Railway Divisions inside Coimbatore district which complicates the development process, J . Sathish , Director, Kongu Global Forum, pointed out.
At present, the Southern Railway has six divisions: Chennai, Palakkad, Madurai, Salem, Thiruvananthapuram
and Tiruchi.
In the main line from Coimbatore to Dindigul, only the 15-km stretch from Podanur to Kinathukkadavu is in the Salem division.
The 21-km track from Kinathukkadavu to Pollachi is in Palakkad division, and the rail line beyond Pollachi is in Madurai Division.
“This should be reconstituted to Salem division immediately as recently done in the other parts of the country,” Mr. Sathish emphasised.
Rail enthusiasts, trade bodies, industry associations and Railway Users’ Consultative Committees are condent that if the issues in Coimbatore are addressed in a fair and transparent manner, it will generate a revenue of ₹ 600 crores annually, thereby mutually beneting both passengers and the Railways.
With temperature levels staying high and warnings against heat-related illnesses being issued, some of the major government hospitals in Chennai have geared up with preparatory measures by earmarking beds to treat patients with heat-related symptoms.
Hospitals are also focusing on educating persons walking into their facilities on the do’s and don’ts on heat-related illnesses.