Considering the long-pending demand of rail commuters, the Palakkad Division of the Southern Railway is planning to introduce the passenger-friendly Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train services in the Kozhikode-Mangaluru sector, possibly from April.
Railway sources said that about 50% of the infrastructure work, including the MEMU shed at Palakkad for operating the energy-saving train services, had been completed. The remaining work would be completed by the end of the fiscal. The Ministry of Railways has allocated ₹14 crore for the purpose.
As of now, the Palakkad division operates MEMU trains in the Palakkad-Ernakulam, Shoranur-Erode and Palakkad-Salem sections. The division has facilities to maintain six MEMU trains. Plans were afoot to enhance the facilities when MEMU services become fully operational, the sources said.
