COIMBATORE: Passenger train services commenced on the Palakkad - Pollachi broad gauge section on Monday.

Palakkad Town - Pollachi - Palani - Tiruchendur passenger train became the first passenger train to run in the newly converted Broad gauge line of Palakkad Town - Pollachi section. The train left Palakkad Town station at 4.30am.

The resumption of train services in the section after a gap of seven years was kept a low key affair. A total of 106 passengers boarded this train from Palakkad Town.

For now trains would be operated between Palakkad - Pollachi, Palakkad - Tiruchendur via Palani, Dindigul, Madurai and Virudhunagar, Pollcahi - Trichy via Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode. The special train No 06769 (56769) to Tiruchendur will leave from Pollachi at 6am, from Palani at 7.35am, Dindigul at 8.50am and Madurai junction at 10.10am. It will leave from Tirunelveli at 1.55pm and Tiruchendur at 4pm.

In the return direction special train No 06770 (56770) will leave Tiruchendur at 11.10am, arrive at Tirunelveli at 12.30pm, Virudunagar at 2.38pm, Madurai at 4pm, Dindigul 5.25pm, Palani at 7.20pm and arrive at Pollachi at 8.45hours and Palakkad Town at 10pm.

The Pollachi – Trichy passenger Special train No 06712 (56712) will leave Pollachi at 4.30am, leave from Palakkad Town at 6.40am, Coimbatore Junction at 8.05am, Tirupur at 9.10am, Erode at 10.15am, Karur at 11.37am and Trichy at 1.45pm.

In the return direction, special train No 06713(56713) will leave Trichy at 1pm, arrive Karur at 2.32pm, Erode at 4pm, Tirupur at 5.15pm, Coimbatore at 6.25pm and Palakkad junction at 7.55pm.

Special train No 06343/06344 will run as express specials with express fares while the service of special train No.06345/06346 will be as passenger specials between Palakkad Town and Pollachi junction, said railway authorities.