Passengers are eagerly waiting for the Southern Railway to operate the proposed Rameswaram —Mettupalayam overnight express train.

For, they are missing their old overnight train that was operated till the Southern Railway took up Dindigul — Coimbatore (via Palani and Pollachi) gauge conversion work in 2008.

“We had this popular train between Rameswaram and Coimbatore running on the metre gauge. The train was running on the shortest route through Madurai, Palani and Pollachi,” said N. Madhavan, an advocate, from Ramanathapuram.

Once the gauge conversion work started on Dindigul-Pollachi route, train operation between Coimbatore and the southern districts was diverted via Karur and Erode.

Though after long period, the railway officials have put to use the broad gauge line to operate a few trains to Coimbatore from Madurai, the overnight train to Rameswaram still remains an unfulfilled demand.

“Recently, the Southern Railway announced introduction of a new train service between Mettupalayam and Rameswaram. But, we are still unsure when will the services start,” said a railway official. Besides, this route would help provide connectivity for the people of Ramanathapuram district and Madurai to further proceed to Palaghat from Pollachi.

“We are more concerned about whether the train will run via Palani and Pollachi or via Karur and Erode. Palani-Pollachi route will be shorter by 150 km. This will save not just time, but also travelling cost,” Mr. Madhavan added.

He pointed out that at least 14 buses were being operated from Rameswaram to Coimbatore which justified the need for the direct train services on the shortest route.