Palaruvi Express

This article is about a train service. For the famous waterfalls with similar name in Kollam district, see Palaruvi Falls.

Palaruvi Express

Palaruvi Express Signboard
Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail
Status	Operating
Locale	Kerala, Tamil Nadu
First service	20 April 2017;7 years ago (2017-04-20)(initial service between Palakkad Jn and Punalur) [1] 9 July 2018;6 years ago (2018-07-09)(extended to Tirunelveli Junction) [2] 15 August 2024;6 months ago (2024-08-15)(extended to Tuticorin) [3]
Current operator(s)	Indian Railways
Route
Termini	Tuticorin (TN) Palakkad Junction (PGT)
Stops	40
Distance travelled	537 km (334 mi)
Average journey time	14 hrs
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	16791/16792
On-board services
Class(es)	5 SL, 11 UR, 2 SLR
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	No
Technical
Rolling stock	WAP-4
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
Electrification	25 kV AC 50 Hz
Operating speed	35 km/h (22 mph)
Rake maintenance	Tuticorin

The Palaruvi Express (Train number: 16791/16792) is a daily Intercity express train which runs between Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu and Palakkad Junction in Kerala via Tirunelveli Junction, Tenkasi Junction, Punalur, Kollam Junction, Tiruvalla and Kottayam. ^[4] The train first introduced between Punalur in Kollam and Palakkad. ^[5] On 9 July 2018, it was extended up to Tirunelveli Junction ^[6] and later on 15 August 2024 it was extended till Tuticorin. ^[7]

Background

The train was introduced on 19 April 2017, ^[8] providing better connectivity to the Eastern Kollam region with Central Kerala and as a relief for daily commuters, especially office-goers who have been relying on Venad Express. ^{[9] [10] [11] [12]}

On 29 May 2022 it became the first train to pass through the doubled track between Ettumanoor-Kottayam-Chingavanam section which made the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam-Ernakulam-Mangaluru section completely doubled electrified line.

On 2024 July 28, the Palaruvi Express from Tirunelveli to Palakkad was the first electric train that passed through the recently electrified Sengottai - Kollam railway line.

Route

The service runs from Tuticorin(16791) every night and reaches Palakkad Junction the following afternoon. Prominent stoppages include Tirunelveli Junction, Tenkasi Junction, Punalur, Kollam Junction , ^[a] Kayamkulam Junction, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town and Thrissur. On the return journey, the train leaves every evening, traverses the same route and reaches Tuticorin, next morning. ^[13]

The train reverses its direction at Kollam.

Coach composition

The train has eighteen coaches comprising five sleeper coaches, eleven unreserved general coaches and two luggage rakes. ^{[14] [b]}

Loco	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
	SLR	GEN	GEN	GEN	GEN	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	GEN	GEN	GEN	GEN	GEN	GEN	GEN	SLR

Since its introduction in April 2017, the train was running without even a single reservation compartment till September 2019. The train started 4 reservation sleeper compartments.

Gallery

Palaruvii Express at Ernakulam Town

Palaruvi Express at Kottayam

WAP-4 pulling the Palaruvi Express

Train at Palakkad Junction

See also

• Trains portal

• Venad Express
• Ernakulam–Velankanni Express
• Pearl City Express
• Kollam–Thiruvananthapuram trunk line
• Kollam–Sengottai branch line
• Shoranur–Cochin Harbour section
• Jolarpettai- Shornur line

Notes

1. The service reverses its rakes to continue the journey.
2. The coach composition is subject to change.

References

1. "Suresh Prabhu to flag off Palaruvi Express today". Blive. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
2. "Palaruvi extended to Tirunelveli". TOI. 8 July 2018.
3. "Palaruvi Express extended to Toothukudi from Aug 15, 4 more coaches from Wednesday". Blive. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
4. "Palaruvi Express extended to Toothukudi from Aug 15, 4 more coaches from Wednesday". Blive. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
5. "Suresh Prabhu to flag off Palaruvi Express today". Blive. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
6. "Palaruvi extended to Tirunelveli". TOI. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
7. "Palaruvi Express extended to Toothukudi from Aug 15, 4 more coaches from Wednesday". Onmanorama. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
8. "Prabhu flags-off 45 freight terminals, new Kerala passenger train". Business Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
9. "Punalur-Palakkad Palaruvi Express to chug off on April 19". On Manorama. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
10. "Palaruvi Express to cool down passengers". TNIE. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
11. "New train between Palakkad, Punalur". The Hindu. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
12. "More stops sought for new train from Punalur". Times of India. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
13. "Palaruvi Express flagged off". Times of India. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
14. "16101/Chennai Egmore - Kollam Jn Express". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2019.