The Guruvayur-Punalur Intercity Express extended to Madurai begins its service today, member of parliament from Kollam N K Premachandran said. The train which departs from Madurai at 11.20 am will reach Punalur at 6 pm, and shall arrive at Kollam at 7:35 pm.
He further said a train service would be launched from Kollam to India’s prominent pilgrim centre of Tirupati. The Tirupati-Kollam train would depart from the pilgrim town on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2:40 pm and reach Kollam at 6:20 am the following day.
On the return trip, the train would depart from Kollam on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 am and reach Tirupati at 3:20 am.
The train will operate along the Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Salem route.
The MP added there should be at least 18 coaches on trains if the rail traffic on the Kollam-Shenkottai sector were to improve.
Besides, LHB coaches which can accommodate more passengers should be used, he noted, as most of the trains that operate to destinations in Kerala still have old coaches. Premchandran demanded that vistadome coaches should be attached to trains destined for Kollam, taking into account the tourism prospects of the area.
