Trivandrum: The Thiruvananthapuram Division of Southern Railway will start an Unreserved MEMU Express Special Train between Kollam Junction and Ernakulam Junction via Kottayam from 07th October 2024 to 29th November 2024.
From Monday to Friday, the special train will depart from Kollam at 05:55 hours to arrive at Ernakulam Junction at 09:35 hours. In the return direction, the train will leave Ernakulam Junction at 09:50 hours to arrive at Kollam Junction at 13:30 hours.
Train No. 06169 Kollam Junction – Ernakulam Junction MEMU Express Special
Timings(Arrival/Departure): Kollam Jn.(-/05.55 hrs.), Perinad, Munroe Thuruthu, Sasthankotta(06.34 hrs./06.35 hrs.), Karuanagapalli(06.45 hrs./06.46 hrs.), Kayamkulam Jn.(06.59 hrs./07.00 hrs.), Mavelikara(07.07 hrs./07.08 hrs.), Chengannur(07.18 hrs./07.19 hrs.), Thiruvalla(07.28 hrs./07.29 hrs.), Changanassery(07.37 hrs./07.38 hrs.), Kottayam(07.56 hrs./07.58 hrs.), Ettumanur(08.08 hrs./08. 09 hrs.), Kuruppanthara(08.17 hrs./08.18 hrs.), Vaikom Road(08.26 hrs./08.27 hrs.), Piravom Road(08.34 hrs./08.35 hrs.), Mulanturutti(08.45 hrs./08.46 hrs.), Thrippunithura(08.55 hrs./08.56 hrs.), Ernakulam Jn.(09.35 hrs./-).
Train No 06170 Ernakulam Junction – Kollam Junction MEMEU Express Special
Timings(Arrival/Departure): Ernakulam Jn.(-/09.50 hrs.), Trippunithura(10.07 hrs./10. 08 hrs.), Mulanturutti(10.18 hrs./10.19 hrs.), Piravom Road(10.30 hrs./10.31 hrs.), Vaikom Road(10.38 hrs./10.39 hrs.), Kuruppanthara(10.48 hrs./10.49 hrs.), Ettumanur(10.57 hrs./10.58 hrs.), Kottayam(11.10 hrs./11.12 hrs.), Changanassery(11.31 hrs./11.32 hrs.), Thiruvalla(11.41 hrs./11.42 hrs.), Chengannur(11.51 hrs./11.52 hrs.), Mavelikara(12.03 hrs./12.04 hrs.), Kayamkulam Jn.(12.13 hrs./12.15 hrs.), Karunagappalli(12.30 hrs./12.31 hrs.), Sasthankotta(12.40 hrs./12.41 hrs.), Munroe Thuruthu, Perinad, Kollam Jn.(13.30 hrs./-).
In a press release, Dr Manish Thaplyal, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Thiruvananthapuram, informed that while this new service is being introduced, certain challenges remain in sustaining these services. To facilitate the introduction of more MEMU services, the expansion of the MEMU Shed at Kollam had been planned, as the existing maintenance infrastructure is insufficient for additional MEMU trains. However, the extension works for the car shed have been delayed due to local protests. This slow progress poses a risk to introducing further trains and may also affect the long-term sustainability of the new service.
Further, the introduction of new trains will require additional crew. At present, a faction of loco pilots has submitted a memorandum requesting that their duty hours not exceed five hours of running time, although the Indian Railways standard allows for up to 9+2+1 hours per trip and 102 hours per fortnight. He added that efforts to resolve these issues are ongoing, though the long-term sustainability of the service remains uncertain.
Last updated: 06 Oct 2024