Kottayam: To the delight of hundreds of daily rail commuters, the Railways has allowed a special MEMU train on the Kottayam route. The Kollam – Ernakulam (via Kottayam) special MEMU (06169) service will be operated from October 7 to January 3, 2025. The eight-car MEMU will run in this route every day, except Saturdays and Sundays. It starts from Kollam at 6.15 am and reaches Ernakulam Junction (south) at 9.35 am. The return service begins at 9.50 am and reaches Kollam by 1.30 pm. Kodikunnil Suresh MP said that the Kollam – Ernakulam service could be turned into the Punalur – Ernakulam service once the railway board allows a new MEMU rake. He added that the authorities have been reaching out to the railway board for new rakes. Until then, the Kollam – Ernakulam MEMU service will be operated using eight cars.
Stations and other details
The MEMU will have stops at Sasthamkotta, Karunagappally, Kayamkulam Junction, Mavelikkara, Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Changanassery, Kottayam, Ettumanur, Kuruppanthara, Vaikom Road, Piravom Road, Mulanthuruthy and Tripunithura. As per reports, the expansion of the MEMU shed in Kollam is also under consideration as there isn't enough infrastructure for additional memu trains, now. An additional coach is also allotted to Venad Express to help in accommodate more passengers. Though a special arrangment, it is expected to continue for quite a while.
