Pathanamthitta: In a major development which would benefit pilgrims from Kerala, the Railway Board has given the approval for starting two new biweekly train services from the state. The trains are Ernakulam-Velankanni and Kollam-Tirupati. The railways have also sanctioned the extension of the Palakkad-Tirunelveli Palaruvi Express to Thoothukudi.

The train to Velankanni will start from Ernakulam on Mondays and Saturdays at 12.35 pm and reach its destination at 5.50 am the next day. Currently, a special train is conducting service on this route.

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According to the schedule announced by the authorities, the train will start its return journey from Velankanni at 6.30 pm on Tuesdays and Sundays. Its arrival time at Ernakulam is 12 pm the following day. The service will be along Kottayam, Punalur and Shencottai.

Meanwhile, the Tirupati-Kollam service will depart from Tirupati at 2.40 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. It will arrive at Kollam the next day, at 6.20 am, taking the Salem-Palakkad-Thrissur-Kottayam route.

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For the return journey, the service will start from Kollam at 10 am on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The scheduled arrival time at Tirupati is 3.20 am the next day.

Railway authorities said that they would announce the date of starting the services of both trains soon.

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