Passengers travelling on the Vanchinad Express have received a major update after Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh announced that the train has been granted a stop at Thiruvananthapuram Pettah railway station. The MP shared the development through a Facebook post, saying the stop has currently been approved on a temporary basis for six months.

The train is widely used by daily passengers and office commuters across Kerala. According to the MP, railway authorities assured that the stoppage could be made permanent depending on passenger usage during the trial period.

Kodikunnil Suresh said the decision came following repeated demands from regular train passengers and commuter organisations. He added that the issue was strongly raised during a meeting held last week at the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division.

The demand for a stoppage at Pettah had been growing for months as the station serves several residential and commercial areas in Thiruvananthapuram. Daily commuters had reportedly approached the MP and passenger associations seeking intervention to improve connectivity and reduce travel inconvenience.

In his Facebook post, Kodikunnil Suresh said he had urged railway officials to take a quick decision on the matter during the divisional meeting. 

Railway authorities are expected to review passenger numbers during the temporary stoppage period. If commuter response remains strong, the halt at Pettah station is likely to continue permanently, according to the assurance cited by the MP.

The latest update is expected to benefit hundreds of passengers travelling daily between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam on one of Kerala’s busiest train routes.