Pamban bridge: Trivandrum - Madhura Amritha Express to be extended to Rameswaram?

 The Thiruvananthapuram – Madurai Amritha Express might be extended to Rameshwaram since the new Pamban bridge has opened. More coaches may be added to the train, besides some changes in the timing. The train will reportedly reach Rameshwaram at 12.30 pm, once rescheduled. Although the authorities have been instructed to extend the train, the official order and the new timetable are yet to come out. Amritha Express, will reportedly run service to Chennai as Rameshwaram – Chennai Express, and from here it will again travel to Rameshwaram before returning to Thiruvananthapuram as Amritha Express.

The passenger who boards the train at 5 am from Palakkad could reach Rameshwaram at 12.30 pm and return in the Amritha Express to Thiruvananthapuram at 1.30 pm next day. The income too is likely to increase as more coaches would be added. The Mangaluru – Rameshwaram weekly Express that was approved earlier would also start running services now that the new Pamban bridge has been opened. Meanwhile, rail passengers have demanded to turn it into a daily service.

The demand for a night train in the Palakkad – Rameshwaram route has been gaining traction; even the Palakkad division has recommended this service. However, the railway hasn’t resumed the Palakkad – Rameshwaram night train and two Madurai services that were stopped due to Vellachipatha track maintenance. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has written to the central government requesting a new train in the Coimbatore – Rameshwaram route. Currently, there is only one service from Coimbatore to Rameshwaram via Erode. Passengers from Kerala mostly rely on this train.

The authorities are hoping to start more cultural and spiritual tourism services in the southern region now that the Pamban bridge has been opened. It is an advantage that there wouldn’t be any technical or traffic issues as Rameshwaram has the facilities to accommodate up to eight trains and also the pit line for maintenance as well as modern signalling facilities.