COIMBATORE: Commuters will have to wait for a few more days to see additional coaches in the MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) train running between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam as the coaches are yet to arrive from the Palakkad maintenance facility. Southern Railway general manager R N Singh had earlier this month announced that four additional coaches would be added to the MEMU with effect from Feb 23. However, the MEMU continues to run with eight coaches instead of the promised 12 coaches.A Southern Railway official said, “The coaches for the MEMU need to be supplied from the Palakkad maintenance facility. There has been a slight delay in the process, but it is expected to be supplied in the next four to five days.”The MEMU has five daily trips, and more than 5,000 commuters use the service. The MEMU is crowded during the peak hours, as most of the college students and office-goers from Mettupalayam and surrounding areas use the service to reach the city.Periyanaickenpalayam Train Passengers Association president Dr M Jaikumar expressed his displeasure over the delay in getting additional coaches. Jaikumar said, “The 8.20am train service from Mettupalayam remains highly crowded. Around 3,000 commuters travel on it. Out of these, nearly 600-700 college students get off at North Coimbatore station. Since the train comes with excess passengers from Mettupalayam, students and other employees at Karamadai and Periyanaickenpalayam miss the train. The demand for additional coaches was put forth for over three years. In 2023, in a similar situation, a railway official mentioned that four coaches would be added in a month. But three years later, the train still runs with eight coaches.”
