Railway Board yet to approve extension of Bengaluru-Coimbatore Uday Express to Palakkad

COIMBATORE: It has been almost one year since the Railways conducted a trial run for extending the Bengaluru-Coimbatore Uday Express (double-decker) up to Palakkad via Pollachi. But the service is yet to be implemented, leaving passengers disappointed.
Currently, there is no direct train between Pollachi and Bengaluru, forcing people from Pollachi, Anamalai and Valparai to travel to Coimbatore to catch a train.
"The trial run of the service was conducted on April 17, 2024. Extending the Bengaluru-Coimbatore Uday Express to Palakkad via Kinathukkadavu and Pollachi would benefit many. However, it remains just an announcement today. There are several IT companies operating in Pollachi and Kinathukkadavu, and the train would receive a positive response immediately," said MKG Anandakumar, a member of the Divisional Railway Users' Consultative Committee (DRUCC) of the Palakkad Railway Division.
He added that a request to operate the train was made during the DRUCC meeting on March 20 this year. However, officials from the Palakkad division stated that the Railway Board was yet to grant approval for the service.
"Pollachi Junction serves four taluks — Pollachi, Kinathukadavu, Anaimalai and Valparai. The region is known for several tourist and spiritual destinations, including the Anaimalai Maasani Amman Temple, Thirumoorthy Hill Temple, Valparai Hills, Anaimalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), and the Amaravathy and Aliyar dams," he said.
"The current train services through Pollachi are insufficient, considering the region's economic growth and potential. Increasing the number of train services would benefit tourists and pilgrims visiting Pollachi from various parts of the country," Anandakumar added.
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