THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The inaugural service of Punalur - Kanyakumari passenger train from Punalur end was flagged off on Monday by MPs Kodikunnil Suresh and N K Premachandran in the presence of K Raju MLA.
Radhamani Vijayananth, Municipal chairperson, Punalur, and A K Rastogi, Divisional Railway Manager, Madurai Division, were also present.
The inaugural service of Kanyakumari- Punalur passenger from Kanyakumari end will be flagged off by Minister of State for Heavy Industries Pon Radhakrishnan on Tuesday.
The train will begin its regular service from Wednesday onwards. Train No. 56715 Punalur-Kanyakumari passenger will leave Punalur at 06.15 am and reach Kanyakumari at 1.05 pm. Train No 56716 Kanyakumari - Punalur passenger will leave Kanyakumari at 2.35 pm and reach Punalur at 8.10 pm.
The composition of the trains will be seven general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches.
The trains will stop at Auvaneswaram, Kottarakkara, Ezhukone, Kundara, Kilikollur, Kollam Jn, Varkala Sivagiri, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Nemom, Balaramapuram, Neyyanttinkara, Dhanuvachapuram, Parassala, Kuzhitturai, Eraniel and Nagercoil Junction.
The MPs alighted at Kollam station amidst cheers from supporters and members of Railway Passenger Associations.
Speaking on the occasion, Premachandran said the new train service is a boon for students, office-goers and people from the high ranges who are in need of medical care. With regard to cancellation of certain stops, the MP said that a memorandum had been submitted to the Railway Minister in this regard and was looking for a favourable solution soon.
Kodikunnil Suresh said that he would put pressure on the Railway ministry to allow stops at these stations.