THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a growing demand to convert the weekly AC special train from Thiruvananthapuram North to Tambaram via Punalur and Shenkottai into a regular service. The passengers point out that it will save time and benefit more people than the route via Palakkad. The train, which has been running since last April, is very popular.

'Earlier, there were two Chennai services via Kollam-Punalur-Shenkottai. However, after the track was converted to broad gauge, only the Kollam Mail resumed the service. If the special train is converted into a regular service, it will be useful for passengers from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta. Passengers from Kochuveli, Kollam, Kottarakkara and Punalur railway stations can also use this train to travel to Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Srirangam, Villupuram and Tambaram,' said Dipu Ravi, secretary of the Kollam-Shenkottai Railway Passengers Association. It is very difficult to get tickets for trains via Palakkad. The passengers also pointed that this problem will also be solved if the special train is made a regular service.

Another special feature is the time saving. Trains via Palakkad take about 17 hours to reach Chennai. However, the Ananthapuri Express via Nagercoil takes only 13 hours to reach Chennai. Trains via Kollam, Punalur and Shenkottai take about 16 hours. The short travel time is an attraction for those traveling from Kollam to Chennai.

There are reports that the railways are trying to run more services to Chennai, Bengaluru and Secunderabad on the Punalur-Shenkottai route as an alternative route to the congested Palakkad mainline from Thiruvananthapuram. Passenger associations have already demanded that the platform length of the stations in the Punalur-Shenkottai Ghat section be increased to allow stops for express trains.

Passengers hope that the railways will consider all their needs sympathetically and resolve their travel problems.