PALAKKAD: A long-standing problem faced by Malayali train passengers, especially those going to the Malabar side, is that the train is held up before the Shoranur railway station. To solve this problem, track doubling on the Thrissur - Palakkad rail line will start soon. The work is expected to be completed by February next year. Railways has signed an agreement with an Ernakulam-based company in this regard.
Thrissur-Shoranur route and Palakkad-Shoranur route is single lane for more than one kilometre. Many trains are held up for hours between Shoranur and Vallathol Nagar stations when other trains pass through this route. This problem has plagued travellers for ages. This type of hold-up was common from late trains and long-distance trains to passenger trains.
The Southern Railway had prepared a plan to double the Thrissur-Shoranur route and Palakkad-Shoranur route two years ago. However, the project was stuck in red tape due to various reasons. Shoranur yard remodelling will also be done as a part of this. The construction of the bridge will begin in the first phase. At present, trains pass through the same bridge. Railways aims to complete the project by February 2027. 67.39 crores have been allocated for the project.