Electrification of Punalur – Sengottai route may bring more trains to KottayamThe electrification of the Punalur – Sengottai rail tracks has sparked hope for rail passengers in Kottayam, as it could lead to the introduction of a much-needed night train service from central Kerala to Madurai via Sengottai. The Tamil Nadu Passengers Association had previously advocated for this service. With electrification...
more... complete, more trains could be accommodated on this route. Passengers are particularly enthusiastic about the possibility of a Madurai train, which would be convenient for travelers as maintenance facilities are available in Madurai and trains can be refueled and cleaned in Kottayam. The most sought-after train would be one that departs Madurai at night and arrives in Kottayam by morning. The existing night train on the Kottayam – Madurai route is often crowded. While the Amritha Express does operate to Madurai, it travels via Palakkad. Despite the completion of new platforms two years ago, there are still no plans to initiate train services from Kottayam. Additionally, despite instructions to extend trains currently terminating at Ernakulam to Kottayam, no action has been taken. The Palaruvi Express, running between Tirunelveli and Palakkad, could also benefit from the electrification, as the railways plan to operate trains with up to 18 coaches on this route. This could lead to an increase in the number of coaches on the Palaruvi Express, reducing overcrowding. Adding to the inconvenience for passengers, the second entrance gate of Kottayam railway station remains closed. Although the building was intended to be opened to the public with ticket vending machines, this plan has been delayed. The building was originally scheduled to open by March 31, but the Lok Sabha elections caused further postponement. The building could be opened to the public if higher authorities intervened. Opening the second gate would benefit those travelling from Ettumanoor and Pala, allowing them to avoid circling the Nagambadom area and enter directly from MC Road. Installing ticket vending machines at this gate would be an added convenience. The parking lot near the second gate can accommodate up to 150 vehicles.
Kottayam ke rail passengers khushi mein doobe hue hain kyunki Punalur – Sengottai rail track ka electrification ka kaam poora ho gaya hai. Central Kerala se Madurai tak Sengottai via raat ka train service ki demand bahut purani hai. Tamil Nadu Passengers Association bhi yeh service start karne ke...
more... liye appeal ki thi. Manorama Online ne yeh news report ki hai. Electrification hone ke baad yeh route pe zyada trains chalaayi ja sakti hain. Passengers ko yeh umeed hai ki Madurai train bhi yeh route pe chalne lagega. Madurai mein maintenance facilities bhi hain toh trains ko wahaan clean kiya ja sakta hai aur Kottayam mein paani bhara ja sakta hai. Raat mein Madurai se chalu hone wala train jo subah Kottayam pahunchta hai, woh sabse zyada chahiye jaata hai. Kottayam – Madurai route pe raat ka train bahut bhara rehta hai. Amritha Express Madurai jaati hai lekin woh Palakkad se jaati hai. New platforms bane hue do saal ho gaye hain lekin Kottayam se train service shuru karne ki koi planning nahi hai. Ernakulam mein khatam hone wali trains ko Kottayam tak badhana chahiye tha lekin uske liye koi action nahi liya gaya. Tirunelveli – Palakkad Palaruvi Express ko bhi yeh electrification se fayda hoga. Railways ne yeh route pe 18 coaches tak ki trains chalane ka faisla kiya hai. Isse Palaruvi Express mein coaches ki sankhya badh sakti hai aur train mein bheed kam ho sakti hai. Passengers ke liye aur bhi pareshani hai kyunki Kottayam railway station ka doosra entrance gate band hai. Yeh building khulna chahiye tha ticket vending machines ke saath lekin yeh plan delay ho gaya. March 31 tak yeh building khulna chahiye tha lekin Lok Sabha elections ki wajah se yeh bhi delay ho gaya. Agar higher authorities interfere karen toh building passengers ke liye khol diya ja sakta hai. Ettumanoor aur Pala se aane walon ko Nagambadom area mein ghoomne ki jarurat nahi padegi aur woh MC Road se directly second gate se enter kar sakte hain. Agar ticket vending machines bhi yahaan install kiye jaaye toh yeh aur bhi faydemand hoga. Second gate ke paas parking lot mein 150 vehicles tak park kiye ja sakte hain.
