Thrissur: To ease travel congestion in the Thrissur–Ernakulam corridor, the Southern Railway has decided to increase the number of coaches on the Shoranur-Ernakulam MEMU service (66319/66320). The train, which currently operates with 12 coaches, will now run with 16 coaches.

As part of this expansion, the number of special coaches reserved for women will also be increased from two to three.

According to the Railways, the additional coaches will be introduced from Ernakulam starting Wednesday, and from Shoranur from Friday.

The MEMU service departs from Ernakulam at 5:40 pm, reaches Thrissur at 7:32 pm, and arrives in Shoranur at 8:40 pm. On the return leg, it departs from Shoranur at 4:30 am, reaches Thrissur at 5:18 am, and arrives in Ernakulam at 7:45 am.

The Thrissur Railway Passengers Association has welcomed the move, calling it a much-needed step to reduce the heavy rush during peak hours. The association has also urged the Railways to consider increasing the number of coaches in other busy services, including the Guruvayur–Madurai Express (16328), Guruvayur–Ernakulam Passenger (56313), Palakkad–Ernakulam MEMU (66609), and Kannur–Alappuzha Express (16308).