Ernakulam – Nilambur MEMU: How can it help tourism sector?

Perinthalmanna: The tourism sector of central Kerala may benefit if the Ernakulam – Shorannur MEMU is extended to Nilambur. Passengers from the Northern part of Kerala can spend an entire day in Kochi and leave the city in the evening. As it operates from Ernakulam as Alappuzha MEMU, passengers could also enjoy a day exploring the coastal district. If you reach Palakkad from Shorannur on the West Coast Express, you could take the Thiruchenthur Express to visit Pollachi Dam. From here, you can explore places like Palani and Madurai too.

This night train service was one of the main suggestions that came up in the brainstorming session that was held following the news series ‘Nilambur Needs to be on the Right Track’ presented by Malayala Manorama to initiate development in the Shorannur—Nilambur rail route. Meanwhile, the track has been electrified. The work to transfer electricity from the KSEB substation in Melattoor to the traction substation will be completed within days.

Meanwhile, railway authorities said that launching the Shorannur—Nilambur MEMU service with up to 8 bogies is also under consideration if electric trains start running in this route. The trial run of electric trains was conducted in this route earlier. The time schedule of many trains will change when the new timetable is launched next month. The new schedule will reportedly accommodate more connection trains on this route.

As per the new schedule, the train that reaches Shorannur at night and then leaves for Nilambur is likely to return to Shorannur by 3 am. Meanwhile, this schedule will allow the passengers arriving at Shorannur in the Vande Bharat from Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur Jan Shatabdi, Nizamudeen, Poorna, Thiruvananthapuram Express from Kozhikode side, Kochuveli, Okha—Ernakulam, Nagercoil, and Yasvantpur Express to travel to Nilambur.

Currently, many passengers travelling to Nilambur side face difficulties as they cannot catch the last train from Shorannur at 8.10 pm. Those who arrive at Nilambur in the MEMU can catch the Mangaluru – Chennai West Coast Express to Palakkad. They can then board the Thiruchenthur Express to Palani and Madurai sides. Besides, the Shorannur – Kannur MEMU that operates early in the morning on the Kozhikode – Mangaluru route would benefit other train services like Mangaluru Central, Mangaluru Superfast and Kannur Express. This may also allow the passengers to continue their journey in Kanyakumari Express from Thrissur, Kochuveli (weekly), Kochuveli Superfast, Kochuveli Garib Rath, Alappuzha Superfast and Guruvayoor Express.