After a gap of nearly 10 years the Pollachi station handled goods today.

The consignment, 2652 tonnes of soya bean, from Badnera in Maharashtra arrived in a 42-wagon goods rake last night via Renigunta, Jolarpettai and Palakkad.

Unloading of the goods began at 6 a.m. today and completed by 1 p.m. The consignment was booked by M/s Sakthi Sugars, Soya division at Pollachi.

The line was closed for goods traffic in 2006 for gauge conversion.

According to a press release, the new goods shed has been constructed at Pollachi Junction as a part of gauge conversion in Palakkad Town/Podanur – Pollachi section.

“The 650 metre long and 20 metre wide goods platform at the shed has a full rake capacity of 42 wagons. The goods platform, goods shed office, freight operations information system (FOIS) enabled goods booking facility, waiting room for traders, rest rooms for male and female staff and approach road at the goods shed were completed at a cost of Rs. 6 crores,”a release from the Palakkad Division said.

The facility was expected to regain the traffic of food grains, fodder and coir products, that were handled by the goods shed in the metre gauge regime.