Chennai: The Amritha Express, which currently operates between Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai, has now been extended to Rameswaram. The new service will take effect from Thursday, making the Amritha Express the only train from Kerala to reach the famous pilgrimage destination in Tamil Nadu.

When will the new service begin?

The extended service will start on October 16. Train number 16343 will leave Thiruvananthapuram at 8:30 pm and arrive in Rameswaram at 12:45 pm the next day. The return train from Rameswaram (train number 16344) will depart at 1:30 pm and reach Thiruvananthapuram Central at 4:55 am the following morning.

What is the route and schedule?

The Amritha Express will run daily, passing through Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Palani, and Dindigul.

On its way to Rameswaram, the train will arrive at:

  • Madurai at 9:50 am
  • Manamadurai at 10:25 am
  • Paramakudi at 10:50 am
  • Ramanathapuram at 11:13 am

For the return journey, the train will reach:

  • Ramanathapuram at 2:13 pm
  • Paramakudi at 2:38 pm
  • Manamadurai at 3:05 pm
  • Madurai at 4:05 pm

The existing schedule between Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai will remain unchanged.

What are the facilities on board?

The train will include 12 sleeper coaches, four general coaches, three AC three-tier coaches, and two combined First AC and Second AC coaches, ensuring comfortable options for passengers across categories.

The Indian Railways had earlier announced that the Amritha Express would be extended to Rameswaram once the Pamban bridge opened. Although the bridge was inaugurated in April this year, the service extension took additional time to be implemented.

A new train service from Mangaluru to Rameswaram has also been announced but is yet to begin operations. At present, around 30 trains connect Rameswaram with various parts of the country. More services are expected to start after the renovation of the Rameswaram railway station is completed.