Palaruvi Express

Palaruvi Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
LocaleKerala & Tamil Nadu
First service20 April 2017; 9 years ago (2017-04-20) (initial service between Palakkad Jn and Punalur)
9 July 2018; 8 years ago (2018-07-09) (extended to Tirunelveli Junction)
15 August 2024; 2 years ago (2024-08-15) (extended to Tuticorin).
Current operatorSouthern Railway
Route
TerminiTuticorin (TN)
Palakkad Junction (PGT)
Stops40
Distance travelled537 km (334 mi)
Average journey time14 hrs
Service frequencyDaily
Train number16791 / 16792
On-board services
ClassesSleeper Class, General Unreserved, 3AC Class
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesNo
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesNo
Other facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Broad Gauge
Operating speed35 km/h (22 mph) average including halts.
Rake maintenanceTuticorin CDO

The 16791 / 16792 Palaruvi Express is an Intercity express train which runs between Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu and Palakkad Junction in Kerala. The train first introduced between Punalur in Kollam and Palakkad. On 9 July 2018, it was extended up to Tirunelveli Junction and later on 15 August 2024 it was extended till Tuticorin. It is named after the Palaruvi Falls.

Background

The train was introduced on 19 April 2017, providing better connectivity to the Eastern Kollam region with Central Kerala and as a relief for daily commuters, especially office-goers who have been relying on Venad Express.

On 29 May 2022 it became the first train to pass through the doubled track between Ettumanoor-Kottayam-Chingavanam section which made the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam-Ernakulam-Mangaluru section completely doubled electrified line.

On 2024 July 28, the Palaruvi Express from Tirunelveli to Palakkad was the first electric train that passed through the recently electrified Sengottai - Kollam railway line.

Route

The service runs from Tuticorin(16791) every night and reaches Palakkad Junction the following afternoon. Prominent stoppages include Tirunelveli Junction, Tenkasi Junction, Punalur,Kundara, Kollam Junction , Kayamkulam Junction, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town and Thrissur. On the return journey, the train leaves every evening, traverses the same route and reaches Tuticorin, next morning.

The train reverses its direction at Kollam.

Coach composition

The train has eighteen coaches comprising five sleeper coaches, eleven unreserved general coaches and two luggage rakes.

Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
SLRGENGENGENGENGENS1S2 S4S5GENGENGEN GEN GEN GENSLR

Since its introduction in April 2017, the train was running without even a single reservation compartment till September 2019. The train started 4 reservation sleeper compartments.

Palaruvii Express at Ernakulam Town


Palaruvi Express at Kottayam


WAP-4 pulling the Palaruvi Express


Train at Palakkad Junction


See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The service reverses its rakes to continue the journey.
  2. ↑ The coach composition is subject to change.

References

  1. ↑ "Suresh Prabhu to flag off Palaruvi Express today". Blive. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Palaruvi extended to Tirunelveli". TOI. 8 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Palaruvi Express extended to Toothukudi from Aug 15, 4 more coaches from Wednesday". Blive. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  4. ↑ "Palaruvi Express extended to Toothukudi from Aug 15, 4 more coaches from Wednesday". Blive. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Suresh Prabhu to flag off Palaruvi Express today". Blive. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Palaruvi extended to Tirunelveli". TOI. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "Palaruvi Express extended to Toothukudi from Aug 15, 4 more coaches from Wednesday". Onmanorama. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  8. ↑ "Prabhu flags-off 45 freight terminals, new Kerala passenger train". Business Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "Punalur-Palakkad Palaruvi Express to chug off on April 19". On Manorama. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Palaruvi Express to cool down passengers". TNIE. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "New train between Palakkad, Punalur". The Hindu. 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "More stops sought for new train from Punalur". Times of India. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  13. ↑ "Palaruvi Express flagged off". Times of India. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  14. ↑ "16101/Chennai Egmore - Kollam Jn Express". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2019.