End to 50 years of wait! First AC train begins service through scenic Punalur-Chenkotta route

KOLLAM: Ending the years of wait and fallen promises from authorities, a Special AC train journeyed through the Punalur-Chenkotta route on Wednesday for the first time. This is the first AC train service through the Western Ghats which will service between Kochuveli to Chennai Tambaram. This also made the passengers travel by AC train while enjoying the views of the Western Ghats.

The service will be available two days a week till June 29. Tambaram - Kochuveli Express (No. 06035) will start service from Tambaram at 9:40 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Chengalpettu (10:08), Villupuram (11.40), Tiruchirappalli (2:20 am), Madurai (4:45 am), Sivakasi (6:08 am), Rajapalayam (6.35 am), Tenkasi (8:15 am), Chenkotta (8:40 am), Thenmala (10:05 am), Punalur (11:10 am), Avaneeswaram (11:29 am), Kottarakkara (11.43 am), Kundara (11:58 am), Kollam (12:20 am) and Kochuveli (1:40 pm).

Kochuveli-Tambaram Express (No- 06036) will start service from Kochuveli at 3:35 pm on Fridays and Sundays. Kollam (4:40 pm), Kundara (4:58 pm), Kottarakkara (5:12 pm), Avaneeswaram (5:24 pm), Punalur (5:40 pm), Thenmala (6:25 pm), Chenkotta (7:55 pm), Tenkasi (8:23 pm), Rajapalayam (9:28 pm, Sivakasi (9:55 pm), Madurai (11:15 pm), Tiruchirappalli (1:45 am), Villupuram (4:48 am), Chengalpattu (6:23 am), Tambaram (7:35 am).

Out of 16 coaches, the train service is operated with 14 third AC economy coaches. The ticket price from Kochuveli to Tambaram is Rs.1335; from Kollam is Rs.1275; from Kottarakkara is Rs.1250 and from Punalur is Rs.1220.