COIMBATORE: The Podanur Train Users Association has requested Southern Railway to provide stoppages to some trains, including Kovai Express and Cheran Express, at Ambattur railway station in Chennai. Association general secretary N Subramanian has written to the divisional railway manager of the Salem Railway Division highlighting the difficulties faced by passengers travelling from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and Salem regions to Ambattur and nearby areas. According to him, passengers travelling on 12680/12679 Intercity Express, 12676/12675 Kovai Express, 22638/22637 West Coast Express and 12674/12673 Cheran Express are forced to travel up to Chennai Central railway station and then return to Ambattur either by suburban trains or by road. He requested the railways to consider providing stoppages for these trains at Ambattur railway station. In his letter, Subramanian said, “Ambattur is one of the major suburban localities of Chennai with a large residential and industrial population. Many people from western Tamil Nadu are employed and residing in and around Ambattur, Avadi, Pattaravakkam and nearby areas. Since Chennai Central railway station and the suburban railway network are heavily crowded, especially during peak hours, passengers — including senior citizens, women, students and families — face severe inconvenience while commuting back from Chennai Central to Ambattur. If stoppages are provided at Ambattur railway station, it will greatly benefit commuters, students and the public. It will also help in reducing congestion at Chennai Central railway station and suburban train services.”
