RailEnquiry

MADURAI: Ever since the conversion of the metre gauge line into broad gauge on the Dindigul - Palani section was completed last November, there has been a growing demand by pilgrims across the state, to operate more trains. Though daily passenger trains are operated on the section, rail users and pilgrims in the region are seeking good connectivity to Palani from southern destinations. Being one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, the pilgrims' influx is significantly high with thousands from across the country thronging the temple daily and lakhs together during festival days like 'thaipoosam, panguni uthiram, vaikasi visagam' and 'kanthasashti'.Earlier, during the metre gauge days, Palani was well connected with the southern destinations as both express and passenger trains were operated from Madurai to Coimbatore and Palakkad via Palani. There was also a train from Rameswaram to Palakkad connecting Palani. The section was closed for gauge conversion work four years ago and after it was completed in November 2012, three pairs of passenger trains are being operated between Palani and Dindigul. However, expanding the section till Madurai and beyond is the need of the hour to cater to large number of pilgrims, the rail users here stressed.

"When the metre gauge line was in use, we used to go to Palani on foot from Madurai and while coming back, we take the train. It used to be so comfortable since we used to travel with the family," said P Sivakumar from Madurai who used to go on pilgrimage to Palani regularly. "During festival days, the rush in buses is unbearable and the fares are relatively very high. If the railways can operate trains from Madurai to Palani, it will be of great help," he said.

The railway unions here pointed out that even the three pair of passengers operated in the section are not of much help. V Ramkumar, working committee member of SRMU, said, the union initially submitted the proposals of plying trains from Palani to Madurai and Rameswaram to cater pilgrim traffic. "Dindigul - Palani section does not cater to pilgrims and there are no connecting trains from Madurai since the schedule of the passenger trains operated currently is not coherent with the other trains passing through Dindigul," he pointed out.

S P Jayapragasam, former member of divisional rail users consultative committee (DRUCC) said that Tiruparankundram near Madurai is another abode of Lord Muruga like Palani and a connectivity between these pilgrim destinations will be ideal for the pilgrims in the state who would love to visit both the abodes. "There should be pilgrim specials like Palani - Rameswaram and Palani - Madurai," he said.

N S V Chitthan, Dindigul MP said that he had been taking up these proposals with the railway ministry. "We are also seeking another proposal to operate trains between Palani and Chennai to boost the local economy. I am hopeful that the proposal will materialise in this railway budget," he said. Chitthan also pointed out another proposal to lay a new line between Palani and Erode, which will connect the pilgrim centre to Western Tamil Nadu for its economic growth.

Senior officials from the Madurai division said they have sent some proposals of extending train services from Madurai to Palani for the upcoming railway budget. However, with gauge conversions work proceeding in Palani - Pollachi section to connect it with Coimbatore, any possibility of operating long-distance trains on this section may materialise only at the later stages, they said.