Redevelopment of Coimbatore North Railway Station Nears Completion.

Redevelopment work at Coimbatore North railway station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by September, railway officials said.

The ₹11.5-crore redevelopment project was inaugurated in August 2023 and was originally scheduled for completion by February this year. However, delays in executing the work pushed the deadline further.

A senior official of the Salem railway division told TOI that the remaining works are largely related to surface-level improvements, including installation of nameboards at terminal buildings and entry and exit arches, along with minor aesthetic works. A review meeting on the progress is expected to be held shortly.

Work on installing elevators is also progressing, while the additional platform being constructed for MEMU services has reached around 70% completion. The railways is considering operating one or two MEMU services originating from Coimbatore North and Podanur, the official said.

Meanwhile, the Podanur Train Users Association alleged that the railways planned to return the existing eight-coach MEMU rakes to Chennai after introducing the 12-coach MEMU service to Mettupalayam once the additional platform at Coimbatore North is completed.

The railway official, however, denied the claim, saying there were no plans so far to send back the rakes currently being used for the existing MEMU service.

The association has also urged the Salem railway division to introduce a new MEMU service to Pollachi or Dindigul. MEMU services had previously operated between Coimbatore and Salem and between Coimbatore and Dindigul, but were later withdrawn.

The association has sought restoration of these services by utilising the existing MEMU rakes, citing the need for improved regional rail connectivity.