PALAKKAD:A load tolerance trial was conducted on the newly-converted broad gauge line between Palakkad town and Pollachi junction stations by plying a goods train on Sunday. There were onlookers on either side of the tracks to see the goods train embarking on its maiden trip.
The train comprising 42 wagons with fertiliser left Palakkad junction at 15.30 hours and was taken via Palakkad Town to Pollachi. The train continued its journey from Pollachi to Madurai and Tiruchirappally. The goods train transported 3,720 tonnes of fertiliser from the unit of the Mangaluru Chemicals and Fertilisers in Mangaluru. While one half of the consignment headed to Kudal Nagar under Madurai division, the other portion went to the Tiruchi goods shed.
Of the 42 wagons in the goods train, 15 of them were to Kudal Nagar in Madurai division and 27 to Tiruchirapally. The new development will enable the Railways to save a lot of money on fuel. Currently, there is a saving of 120 kilometres to Dindigul. Earlier, a passenger had to go to Erode and then to Karur and proceed to Dindigul from Palakkad.
The train stopped three kilometers away from Pollachi due to rising gradient (between Anamalai road and Pollachi). After a five minute halt it continued its journey and finally reached Pollachi junction at 6 pm. Sources said that on Tuesday a goods train will be operated from Meelavitan (Madurai) division to Palakkad.