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Punalur Railway Station

Punalur is a prominent industrial city of Kerala. It has many thriving industries along with huge potential for tourism and economic development. To reach this wonderful city, railways are the most efficient medium of transport. It has better connectivity with the rest of state and country through the trains passing from Punalur Railway Station. It is one of the oldest railway lines in this region. The first railway line of Punalur was established about one century ago under Travancore Kingdom. Many major trains pass through and halt at this railway station.

Punalur Railway Station in Punalur

History of Punalur Railway Station

Way back in the year 1873, it was decided to lay a railway line from Tiruveli to Kollam. During those times, Kollam was the major trading centre of Travancore Empire. This railway line was sanctioned in 1899 by the erstqwhile Madras Presidency. Later in 1900, the survey for this line was completed and it was constructed by Travancore State, South Indian Railways and Madras Presidency.

The railway line from Kollam to Punalur was initiated in the year 1904 while line from Punalur to Sengottai was inaugurated later in November month of the same year. A meter gauge rail route was built from Kollam to Punalur and Ghats section of Punalur to Sengottai during the period from 1873 to 1903 by the team of British engineers. This is a scenic railway track constructed with the help of arch bridges.

The best part about this railway route was that it offered mesmerizing vistas to the travellers in the trains passing through five long bridges and many smaller ones over the rocky terrains of Western Ghats. There are also five main tunnels laid down on this route. Out of these, the tunnel from Bhagawathipuram to Arayankavu is the longest one with length of one km.

Facilities at Punalur Railway Station

Punalur is a prominent railway station in Southern Kerala. Hence, it receives huge footfall all through the year. To facilitate the passengers travelling through this station, Indian Railways have equipped it with requisite services and amenities. These facilities include the following:
  • Computerized booking center for reserved and unreserved categories
  • Cloak Room
  • Pre paid parking facility
  • Automated Ticket Vending Machine
  • Dormitory
  • Passenger Waiting Rooms
  • Foot-over Bridge
  • Book Stalls
  • Refreshment Centers
  • Retiring Rooms
  • Railway Police Station
  • PRF Station
  • Railway Track Machine Service Center

Railways Lines in Punalur Railway Station

The section from Punalur to Sengottai is intwgral to 325 km long broad gauge section from Kollam to Thiruchendur. The work on broad gauge conversion from Kollam to Punalur is completed while work is in progress for Punalur to Sengottai Ghats Section. On completion, it will become a landmark for this region as the shortest rail route from the port cities of Kochi to Tuticorin. The main railway lines of this railway station are:

Kollam to Punalur Railway Line

This meter gauge railway line was converted into broad gauge railway line recently. The work started in the year 1998 and completed after 11 years in 2010. Punalur to Kollam meter gauge section was halted in 2007 to run this project smoothly. It is a 44 km long line that was opened in May 2010 for passenger trains running from Punalur to cities like Guruvayur, Kollam, Kanyakumari, and Madurai.

Punalur to Sengottai Railway Line

It is also a prominent raqilway line which is currently under construction. Railway services in this section are withdrawn since 2010 to facilitate gauge conversion. It is a 49.2 km long track expected to be completed by the end of year 2017.

Other major railway lines of this region are Punalur to Edamon and Sengottai to Bhagawathipuram. Both these lines were recently completed and opened for public.

Major Trains Passing through Punalur Railway Station

There are many passenger trains passing through this railway station in Punalur. Around seven trains originate and terminate at this station. It enjoys connectivity with major cities like Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Kollam, Nagercoil, and Guruvayur. Trains passing through this station are:
  • Punalur - Kanyakumari Passenger
  • Kanyakumari - Punalur Passenger
  • Kollam - Punalur Passenger
  • Punalur - Kollam Passenger
  • Kollam - Punalur Passenger
  • Punalur - Kollam Passenger
  • Madurai - Punalur Fast Passenger
  • Punalur - Madurai Fast Passenger
  • Kollam - Punalur Passenger
  • Punalur - Kollam Passenger
  • Guruvayur - Punalur Fast Passenger
  • Punalur - Guruvayur Fast Passenger
  • Kollam - Punalur Passenger
  • Punalur - Kollam Passenger

Information about Punalur Railway Station
  • Station Code: PUU
  • Division Name: Madurai
  • Railway Zone: Southern Railway
  • Number of Platforms: 03
  • Elevation: 40 meters above the sea level
  • Year of Commencement: 1902
  • Structure: Standard
  • Tracks: 5, Single Line BG
  • Number of Trains Originating: 7
  • Number of Trains terminating: 7

Reach Punalur Railway Station

Address: Rail Station Road, Punalur, Kerala 691305
Phone No.: 0475 2222606
Railway Enquiry No.: 131, 133, 139

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