Kerala is poised to make a leap in passenger rail connectivity with the Indian Railways preparing to introduce its first-ever double-decker train in the state.
The move, centred around Palakkad, is expected to boost inter-state mobility and address the state’s longstanding absence in India’s double-decker service network. Currently, Kerala remains the only major state in South India without such a high-capacity service. Officials from Southern Railway have confirmed that the plan involves extending one of the existing double-decker services from Tamil Nadu into Kerala. The likely candidate is the KSR Bengaluru–Coimbatore Uday Express, a fully air-conditioned chair car service, which is expected to be extended to Palakkad. The final decision will rest on further technical clearances and feedback from a trial run held on the Coimbatore–Palakkad section in April last year.
According to railway authorities, the test run involved four coaches, including two double-decker compartments, to evaluate the track strength, clearance, and operational feasibility. The trial marked a crucial first step in overcoming previous constraints that had stalled Kerala’s inclusion in the double-decker network. The absence of such services in Kerala was primarily attributed to infrastructural bottlenecks, especially low-clearance road bridges across the state’s railway network. Several bridges in and around key junctions like Vallathol Nagar and Shoranur were flagged as incompatible with the height requirements of double-decker coaches. Retrofitting or reconstructing these structures was considered financially unsustainable, resulting in previous proposals being shelved.
Southern Railway had earlier assessed a potential double-decker corridor between Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram, which had to be dropped due to similar challenges. However, by re-evaluating routes that require minimal structural changes, the Palakkad extension offers a pragmatic entry point for Kerala into modern, high-density rail transit. Officials indicate that among the priorities now is the train service currently connecting Madurai to Pollachi via Dindigul, which could also be a strong candidate for further extension to Palakkad. With operational tracks between Coimbatore and Palakkad already deemed suitable, the railways are optimistic that introducing a double-decker service would significantly reduce pressure on regular trains and improve travel comfort on this high-demand route.
Beyond offering additional seating capacity, the introduction of double-decker trains aligns with Indian Railways’ broader transition towards more sustainable, electric traction-based services. With all coaches being fully air-conditioned and designed for energy efficiency, these trains represent a step forward in reducing per capita emissions while scaling up mass transit infrastructure. For Kerala, this move not only addresses long-standing regional disparities in railway service but also presents an opportunity to reimagine urban mobility through high-density, eco-conscious transport. Rail-based commuting, especially in dense corridors, offers a viable solution to reducing the carbon footprint of travel across state borders. Transport and urban planning experts argue that the successful rollout of the service could open the door to further infrastructure upgrades, including station modernisation and capacity expansion on key corridors. If public response and operational performance match projections, similar extensions could follow in the central and southern belts of Kerala.
In the context of India’s rail modernisation efforts and its net-zero emissions roadmap, integrating high-capacity rail services in traditionally underserved regions like Kerala not only enhances connectivity but also aligns with climate resilience strategies. As Southern Railway waits for final nods and performance reviews, the people of Palakkad and the larger Malabar region await a new era in passenger transport—one that promises comfort, efficiency, and sustainable progress on the tracks.
Kerala to Get First Double Decker Train
