Kerala's First Double-Decker Train Undertakes Successful Trial Run On Pollachi-Palakkad Route

The trial run of Kerala's first double-decker train took place on the Pollachi-Palakkad route on Wednesday. The trial run comes before the introduction of the Uday Double-Decker Superfast Train between Bengaluru and Coimbatore, which aims to alleviate the lack of trains on the electrified route. This development marked a significant milestone in Kerala's railway history.

The trial run began at 8 AM from Coimbatore and arrived at Palakkad Junction at 11:05 AM, before entering Palakkad Town Railway Station at 11:25 AM. The train arrived at Palakkad Junction on its return trip at 11:50 AM, and ten minutes later it departed for Coimbatore where it arrived at 2:30 PM.

This AC chair car is from the Indian Railways' first Double-Decker Express series. The train schedule has not yet been decided. The Salem and Palakkad divisions worked together to conduct the trial run.

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The decision to hold the trial run on Wednesday was made because the Uday Express does not operate on that day.

In support of IT and ITES professionals from Kinathukadavu, as well as traders and businessmen from Pollachi, Udumalpet, and Palani regions who worked in and around Bengaluru, the Pollachi Train Passengers Welfare Association had earlier this year asked the Southern Railway to extend the train to Palani.

In the absence of a direct train, residents of Pollachi, Udamalpet, Palani, and Bengaluru had to travel to the railway stations in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Dindigul, according to a memo filed by the association's joint secretary, T Krishna Balaji. Additionally, he pushed for the double-decker coaches to be converted to standard ICF/LHB coaches.