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Kerala has recently seen the launch of three Amrit Bharat Express trains aimed at improving long-distance connectivity. While these trains were largely welcomed, passengers using the Alappuzha route have raised concerns since the new services bypass this corridor in favor of the Kottayam route. The single-line Alappuzha section, coupled with limited track capacity, continues to restrict additional train operations. Commuters are calling for more MEMU services, better scheduling, and stoppages at key stations to ease travel, while passenger groups highlight delays due to the pending doubling project along this coastal line.
The launch of three Amrit Bharat Express trains in Kerala has generated mixed reactions among passengers. The new weekly long-distance trains are intended to enhance regional connectivity and provide faster travel options, but they have not been routed through the Alappuzha line, leaving commuters along this corridor dissatisfied. Advertisement
The Nagercoil Mangaluru Junction and Thiruvananthapuram North Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express trains operate via Kottayam, bypassing Alappuzha entirely. Travellers along the single-line Alappuzha route face limited options as existing services are insufficient to meet daily commuting needs. Frequent passengers report delays and congestion, with the single-line nature of the track making it challenging to accommodate additional trains alongside existing express services.
Representatives from Friends on Rail, a passenger association, noted that while the introduction of Amrit Bharat trains is positive, commuters using Alappuzha are not fully satisfied. They emphasized that the route requires more frequent services to meet local demand. Officials explained that congestion and timing conflicts, such as the overlap with the Nagercoil Mangaluru train schedule, prevent back-to-back operations on this section.
Passengers have suggested potential solutions, including running the Mangaluru train via Alappuzha on alternate days and increasing MEMU services along the Kayamkulam Alappuzha Ernakulam corridor during peak hours. They have also requested daily operation of 16-car MEMU trains and additional stoppages for weekly express trains at Haripad, Ambalapuzha, and Mararikulam, along with permission for the Ernad Express to halt at Mararikulam.
Delays on the Alappuzha route are further compounded by the pending doubling project, which has not been completed on time. Single-line operations mean that trains frequently have to wait at smaller stations to allow others to pass, and any delay in one service affects the entire schedule. Passenger groups stress that timely track upgrades, better scheduling, and enhanced local train services are necessary to ensure the corridor can handle additional long-distance trains without disruption.
The railways, while expanding long-distance services in the state, face the challenge of balancing regional connectivity and infrastructure limitations. Passengers along the Alappuzha corridor hope that careful planning and infrastructure improvements will address their concerns and allow the benefits of Amrit Bharat trains to reach all areas effectively.
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