Coimbatore–Pollachi line

The Coimbatore–Pollachi line is a railway line between Coimbatore and Pollachi in Tamil Nadu, India.[2] The line is a gateway which connects western Tamil Nadu with south Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore is connected to Madurai and other southern districts through this line. During the gauge conversion the line was closed. It was reopened in 2017 and train service resumed.

Coimbatore–Pollachi line
Podanur Junction lies on the Coimbatore–Pollachi line
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleTamil Nadu
Termini
Service
Operator(s)Southern Railways
Salem railway division
Palakkad railway division
Rolling stockWAP-4, WDM-2, WDG-3, WDP-3, WDM-3
History
Opened1915
Closed2008 (for gauge conversion)
Reopened2017
Technical
Track length40 km
Number of tracks1
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
ElectrificationElectrified[1]
Route map

km
0/36
Mettupalayam
7/29
Karaimadai
19/17
Periyanaickenpalayam
26/10
Thudiyalur
33/3
Coimbatore North Junction
36/0
Coimbatore Junction
41/5
Podanur Junction
49/13
Chettipalayam
60/24
Kinathukadavu
Koilpalayam
81/45
Pollachi Junction

History

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The first service started in 1915 from Pollachi to Podanur line as a metre-gauge section and in 2008 the station was closed for the gauge conversion of the Didugul–Podanur. The old metre-gauge track on the stretch was in use for 110 years since the first train chugged in 1898 before it was closed 2008 when work began to convert the metre-gauge railway line to broad gauge as part of the Dindugul–Palakkad section. On 24 March 2017, CRS successfully completed its speed trial and inspection along with Podanur–Pollachi newly laid broad-gauge line. The inspection was very satisfactory according to CRS. Mr. KA Manohar, Bangalore. Train service resumed in July 2017 and a passenger train was introduced between Coimbatore and Pollachi.[3]

Station

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Stations like Podanur Junction, Kinathukadavu are present in this section. There has been a request to revive defunct stations like Chettipalayam, Nallatipalayam, Koilpalayam and Tamaraikulam.[4]

Gauge conversion

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The line was closed for gauge conversion in 2008. Rail service was stopped for eight years. In 2017, the Coimbatore–Pollachi line gauge conversion was completed and train service resumed with one passenger train. Before the conversion which was completed in April 2017, the line was formerly 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge between Podanur Junction and Pollachi Junction.

References

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  1. ^ "Electrified railway line inspected". The Times of India.
  2. ^ "Palakkad-Pollachi line gauge conversion over". The Hindu. 21 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Coimbatore-Pollachi passenger train begins maiden journey on BG line". The Hindu. 16 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Panchayat office picketed". The Hindu. 2 August 2017.