But Coimbatore Junction has earned the status of a taluk-heading railway station in appearance and modern infrastructure.
Even after the formation of the Salem railway line, there was systematic boycott of the Southern Railway. As Coimbatore Junction is currently celebrating its 150th year, no clear announcement has been made so far regarding its inclusion in the central government’s station redevelopment plan.
Included in the redevelopment plan are various amenities like station expansion, additional platforms, terminal infrastructure, parking. Adjacent to the station, there is a lot of land lying vacant belonging to the Central Textile Department, so the station can be expanded by acquiring it and replacing the buildings in front of the station.
This will give the Coimbatore junction a new structure and free people from traffic jams.
Similarly, in Coimbatore, many lands owned by the Railways can be utilized at Goundampalayam, Coimbatore North, Beelamedu, Irkur, Bothanur. Adequate additional pit lines with state-of-the-art coach maintenance depot, goods shed, catwalk facilities and stapling lines can be constructed at those locations.
There is enough space and infrastructure to set up a new terminal at Bothanur. If all this is to happen, the Coimbatore railway line must be established.
With Lok Sabha elections coming up next year, announcements like Coimbatore railway line, inclusion of Coimbatore junction in the redevelopment plan are being eagerly awaited by industry bodies and people here.