The Ministry of Railways has granted in-principle approval for a new train service to Kollam via the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Chengannur route, according to Kodikunnil Suresh, Member of Parliament. The proposed service is intended to ease severe evening congestion on the Venad Express and provide relief to commuters travelling south from Ernakulam.

The approval followed a meeting between Suresh and Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw. During the meeting, the MP presented photographic and video evidence of the difficulties faced by daily passengers, after which the minister’s office forwarded instructions to the Railway Board.

The Railway Board subsequently directed the Chief Passenger Transportation Manager of Southern Railway to initiate the necessary action. The immediate request was for a train to depart before the Venad Express during the evening peak, when thousands of passengers travel towards Kottayam, Changanassery, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam and Kollam.

Authorities are working on plans for the proposed service to leave Ernakulam Junction at around 4 p.m. Railway officials are examining whether it can be operated with MEMU or ICF rakes, while also considering a possible extension of the Kollam-bound service to Punalur.

Southern Railway is reviewing the technical and operational arrangements, including the final timetable, rake availability and the feasibility of extending the service to Punalur. The MP said the new train was expected to begin operations within 10 days and would help decongest the Venad Express while improving travel conditions along the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Chengannur-Kollam corridor.