The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore (ICCIC), has urged the Railway Minister to complete the Coimbatore-Pollachi gauge conversion work early so that exporters could move their cargo quickly to Tuticorin port.

While welcoming the slew of announcements made to improve safety and rail infrastructure, it was disappointing that the demand for an overnight train from here to Bengaluru has been ignored, the ICCIC has said.

Responding to the Railway Budget presented by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today, President of ICCIC D Nandakumar said that the budget has several positive features like no increase in passenger fare, steps to improve passenger safety through installation of CCTVs in ladies compartments and provision of cameras on pilot basis in selected mainline coaches etc.

The minister has also proposed allocation of ₹6,581 crore for building ROBs/RUBs to replace 3,438 level crossings and ₹120 crore for providing lifts and escalators at railway stations paving way for comfortable movement of passengers within stations.

While welcoming the decision to increase the time for advance ticket booking to 120 days (from 60 days), he voiced dismay over the Railway Minister not announcing any new trains, particularly an overnight express train between Coimbatore and Yeshwantpur, which has been a long felt demand of the people here.

Nandakumar urged the minister for early completion of gauge conversion work between Coimbatore and Pollachi so that exporters from here could move the export cargo to Tuticorin port much faster. This would also augment the earnings of railways.

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