Even as the Thiruvananthapuram-Palakkad Amrita Express is being extended to Madurai via Pollachi, Palani, and Dindigul, from Wednesday, passengers’ organisations are seeking to advance its departure from Palakkad Junction to enable Rameswaram-bound passengers to catch a passenger train that leaves Madurai Junction at 12.50 p.m.
“The train reaches Palakkad Junction at 6.15 a.m. from Thiruvananthapuram. But its journey to Madurai starts only by 7.45 a.m. As per the present schedule, the train will reach Madurai at 1.10 p.m. If the train starts its journey from Palakkad at 7 a.m., it can reach Madurai by 12.30 p.m. That would help passengers to Rameswaram to catch the passenger train,” said Khader Moidheen of the Palakkad-Pollachi Rail Passengers Association.
“There is no justification in keeping the train idle at Palakkad Junction for about one-and-a-half hours every morning. If Railways can reschedule the timetable, it will be a great help for pilgrims bound for Rameswaram, Erwadi, and Velankanni. The demand for direct trains between Palakkad and Rameswaram remains unaddressed,” said passenger association leader Erattu Murugan.
Halt at Kollangodu
Passengers are also demanding halt for the train at Kollangodu, between Palakkad and Pollachi. “The extension of Amrita to Madurai is a realisation of our long-pending demand. Railways should now make it more passenger-friendly,” Mr. Moidheen said.
Meanwhile, the rail passengers in Palakkad are upbeat about the extension of Amrita Express to Madurai as it will enhance the district’s rail connectivity. The Chennai Central-Palani Express train is also being extended to Palakkad Junction from Wednesday. Both the trains will pass through the recently gauge-converted Palakkad-Pollachi stretch. The trains will also be beneficial to pilgrims bound for Palani.
Thiruchendur passenger
Also, the passenger train from Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu to Palakkad Town will be extended to Palakkad Junction from Wednesday.
The return journey of Amrita from Madurai will begin at 3.45 p.m. The train will reach Palakkad at 9.15 p.m. before proceeding to Thiruvananthapuram.
The Chennai train will leave Palakkad Junction at 3 p.m. and reach Chennai at 4.15 a.m. the following day. The train will leave Chennai Central at 9.40 p.m. and reach Palakkad Junction at 11 a.m. the following day.
The Chennai train has halt at Kollangode. The Thiruchendur passenger will have halts at Pudunagaram, Muthalamada, and Meenakshipuram.
