Passengers seek new train between T'puram, Nagercoil

T'puram: The shortage of passenger trains between Thiruvananthapuram and Nagercoil is creating travel woes for several people. To resolve the issue, the rail passenger associations have submitted a petition to Southern Railway requesting the introduction of a passenger train or a Memu (mainline electric multiple unit) service from Thiruvananthapuram to Tirunelveli via Neyyattinkara, Parashala, and Nagercoil town.

This will also help farmers from Tirunelveli to transport their produce to Thiruvananthapuram, said S R Sreeram of the Consumer Protection Association, Nagercoil.

Sreeram said that the Thiruvananthapuram-Tirunelveli Memu, or passenger train service, if implemented, will benefit commuters between Thiruvananthapuram and Nagercoil stations and also the passengers who commute between Nagercoil and Tirunelveli.

"The number of commuters between Thiruvananthapuram and Nagercoil is too high compared to that between Thiruvananthapuram and Tirunelveli. But if the railways listen to our suggestions, many people will benefit."

More train services to Nagercoil will also be useful for those who travel to Chennai because people from Thiruvananthapuram can reach Nagercoil and board Vande Bharat Express from there, which will be the fastest service to Chennai.

Railways are not able to add more trains on the route due to congestion of the line.