Nine special features of Kerala's much-awaited double-decker train

KOLLENGODE: For long, passengers looking to reach Kerala from neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were caught in distress, by the dearth of trains and the resulting unavailability of tickets. Quelling such tensions come the newly introduced double-decker train for Kerala. The trail run is ongoing in the Coimbatore-Pollachi-Palakkad route.

The Uday Double Decker Express, currently operating on the Bengaluru (KSR)-Coimbatore route, has conducted a trial run to extend service to Palakkad via Pollachi. Based on yesterday's trial run report, the railway will issue an order to extend the double-decker train service from Coimbatore to Palakkad by 90 km. The official announcement regarding the same may be delayed due to the pending Election Code of Conduct.

There will be glee among train enthusiasts and passengers in Kerala, who all are hoping to enjoy the luxury of double-decker trains which were hitherto unknown to Kerala rails. Apart from the passengers on the Palakkad-Pollachi route, this will also benefit thousands of Malayalis coming from Bengaluru and Salem.

The trial run started from Coimbatore at 8 am on Wednesday and reached Palakkad junction at 11 am via Kinathukadavu, Pollachi Junction, Anamala, Meenakshipuram, Mudalamada, Kollangode, Vadakannikapuram, Puthunagaram and Palakkad Town. Railway Salem, Palakkad Division officials, Mechanic Section, Signal Section and RPF Section also evaluated the service.

The train which conducted a trail run had a compartment double decker coach and two normal compartments. It was checked whether the track and station were suitable for a double-decker train and whether the compartments could pass smoothly.

After a trial run on all five line tracks at Palakkad Junction, the train returned to Kollangode at 01:55 pm on Wednesday. There was a decent crowd including children and adults to witness the double-decker train's trail run into Kerala.

Double-decker train:

• Best seating arrangements
• Enough legs space
• Two feet taller than normal train bogies
• Passengers will have experience witnessing the scenic beauty from such comfortable seating arrangements
• More passengers can be accommodated
• Total of 16 bogies in one train
• Lower cost than other trains
• Rail sounds will not permeate inside the bogies
• Higher profit for railways