Short platforms stall extension of Venad Express to Nilambur

Ottapalam: The long-standing demand to extend the Venad Express (16301/16302) on the Shoranur–Thiruvananthapuram route to Nilambur is unlikely to be implemented soon. Railway authorities say the move faces practical hurdles because several stations between Shoranur and Nilambur lack the technical facilities required to accommodate the train.

It is said that infrastructure upgrades would be required before the extension could be considered. This includes financial and technical measures such as increasing the length of platforms at multiple stations. In view of these challenges, it is learnt that the Railways has stepped back from taking forward the proposal for now.

About a year ago, Rajya Sabha MP P. P. Suneer raised the demand with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The minister had then indicated that the possibility of extending the service to Nilambur would be examined after electrification of the route was completed.

Following the assurance, the Railways conducted a feasibility study to examine whether the extension could be implemented.

The Venad Express currently operates with 22 coaches. However, most stations on the Nilambur route have platforms that can accommodate only up to 18 coaches. The coaches used in Venad Express are also longer than those used in some other services.

As a result, extending the service would mean that as many as six coaches would remain outside the platform area at several stations. Railway rules do not permit such arrangements. Platforms would therefore have to be extended at most of the 11 stations along the route to make the operation possible.

Officials also pointed out that extending the train to Nilambur could disrupt the existing timetable. They said the present schedule may not be maintained if the service is extended, which could cause inconvenience to passengers travelling from other stations on the route.