Palakkad: Palaruvi Express from Palakkad to Thirunelveli (16791, 16792) will be extended to Thoothukudi from August 15 onwards, reports Manorama Online. Minister of State Suresh Gopi will flag off the train at 3.45 pm from the Palakkad Junction station.
Ernakulam – Howrah Antyodaya Express’ stop at Aluva too would be inaugurated alongside this. The Palaruvi Express that departs from Palakkad station at 4.05 pm reaches Thoothukudi the next morning.
Earlier, the service was only until Punalur. Later, it was extended to Senkottai and then to Thirunelveli two years ago. The harbour town of Thoothukudi is around 60 km away from Thirunelveli.
The train has been extended following repeated pleas from the people’s representatives as there aren’t many direct trains to Thirunelveli. Besides, the railways hope to generate extra income as more cargo would be available from Thoothukudi. The Palaruvi Express is a critical train for college students and employees.
On Monday, the passengers of Palaruvi Express staged a protest after it was halted at Mulanthuruthy railway station, longer than scheduled, to allow the Vande Bharat train to pass. Irked over the inordinate delay, travellers held an agitation at Ernakulam Town railway station before they submitted a complaint to the station master regarding the incident. The Palaruvi Express, scheduled to depart Mulanthuruthy at 7.
52 am, was halted beyond schedule to allow the Vande Bharat Express to pass and reach Ernakulam Town at 8.25 a.