Southern Railway boosts Memu capacity on Ekm–Palakkad route

Kochi: In a major relief for daily commuters, Southern Railway has announced the capacity augmentation of the high-demand Ernakulam–Palakkad Memu (mainline electric multiple unit) service, starting this Wednesday. Simultaneously, the railway has restored the Palaruvi Express to its original 18-coach composition, addressing commuter grievances over a recent reduction of two coaches.

As per a directive from the chief passenger transportation manager (CPTM) of Southern Railway, the standard 8-car MEMU rakes on the Palakkad–Ernakulam–Pollachi corridor are being upgraded to 12-car rakes. The upgrade covers Train Nos. 66609 (Palakkad–Ernakulam), 66610 (Ernakulam–Palakkad), 66623 (Palakkad–Pollachi), and 66624 (Pollachi–Palakkad).

Officials said that the 12-car rakes, comprising fresh coaches have successfully passed their initial commissioning operation (ICO) inspection. After scheduled maintenance at the Palakkad Memu shed on Tuesday, the upgraded rake will enter regular service.

“The peak-hour train connecting Pollachi to Ernakulam routinely runs packed with office-goers and patients heading to medical centres in Ernakulam. While the capacity boost is welcome, we continue to demand the conversion of all regional passenger services into full 16-coach Memu trains,” said P. Krishnakumar, member of the divisional railway users consultative committee.

Service timings are as follows: Train No. 66609 (Palakkad Jn to Ernakulam Jn) departs at 7.20am and arrives at 11.15am, running daily except Tuesdays, while the return service, Train No. 66610 (Ernakulam Jn to Palakkad Jn), leaves at 2.45pm and reaches Palakkad by 6.35pm daily. On the Pollachi link, Train No. 66623 departs Palakkad at 7pm and arrives in Pollachi by 9.10pm daily, and Train No. 66624 leaves Pollachi at 5.15am, reaching Palakkad by 7.10am, except on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Southern Railway has a long-term policy to replace conventional passenger rakes with modern MEMUs. However, a senior official noted that rake shortages have slowed progress, partly because Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has shifted much of its production capacity toward Vande Bharat trains.

Memu coaches offer higher passenger capacity, open interiors, and faster acceleration. “We remain committed to converting the remaining conventional trains as new rakes are delivered,” the official added.