Passenger organisations have proposed advancing the Venad Express schedule to ease evening congestion for travellers from Kottayam and central Kerala heading towards Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The proposal follows a change to the Ernakulam–Kollam MEMU timetable, which has placed two southbound services on the same route only five minutes apart.
The organisations want the Southern Railway’s Venad Express service 16301, which runs from Shoranur to Thiruvananthapuram, to be released earlier from Angamaly. They have argued that removing the train’s waiting or buffer time at Angamaly could allow it to reach Ernakulam Town between 4.40 pm and 4.45 pm and continue towards Kottayam at around 4.50 pm.
Under the current timetable described in the report, the Venad Express reaches Angamaly at around 4 pm but is held there until 4.30 pm, reportedly because of crossings involving other trains. It then reaches Ernakulam Town at about 5.15 pm and continues towards Kottayam at 5.20 pm.
The proposed change is intended to prevent the Venad Express from overlapping with the Ernakulam–Kollam MEMU service 66315/16. After the Kottayam–Ernakulam MEMU extension, another Kollam-bound MEMU leaves Ernakulam South at 5.25 pm. Passenger organisations say the five-minute gap between the two services creates operational congestion on the route.
The later MEMU is reported to face signal holds at stations including Thrippunithura, Mulanturutti and Piravom Road while following the Venad Express. These delays affect passengers travelling towards Kottayam, Chengannur and Kollam, as well as those relying on the trains after work, classes, hospital visits and other daily commitments.
The proposed earlier movement of the Venad Express would create a wider operating gap before the 5.25 pm service from Ernakulam South. Passengers arriving at Ernakulam South after 5.25 pm could also use the Ernakulam–Kollam MEMU service 66321, scheduled to depart at 6.15 pm. Passenger groups say this would provide three southbound options between approximately 4.50 pm and 6.15 pm: the Venad Express and two MEMU services.
The proposal could also increase available seating capacity on the route. The report states that the MEMU currently has 12 general coaches, while the Venad Express has 19 general coaches. Passenger organisations say spreading demand across the three services could reduce crowding and improve the reliability of evening journeys.
The Kerala Express, which is scheduled to reach Ernakulam North at 4.30 pm, is also reported to run late frequently. This makes it difficult for passengers who finish work on time to depend on that service. At present, the Venad Express is described as a key option for many such travellers. If it operates at the proposed timings, passengers could reach Kottayam before 6 pm and continue towards the south without waiting for a later service.
The change may also help passengers travelling to Thiruvananthapuram through Kottayam. The report says many currently get down at Kayamkulam Junction and wait for the Eranad Express to continue their journey. An earlier Venad Express service could reduce the need for such transfers, according to the passenger organisations.
The proposal does not involve additional coaches, a new rake, infrastructure expansion or an additional financial burden, according to the report. The organisations have asked railway divisional authorities to examine the technical reasons for the waiting time at Angamaly, ensure an adequate gap between services and consider the timetable adjustment. The report does not state that the Railway has accepted the proposal or announced a revised schedule.
