Nilambur - Shoranur Railway Line
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| Building | |
|---|---|
| Town | Nilambur,Kerala Tel-04931 220237 |
| Country | India |
| Construction | |
| Completed | 1920-1921 |
Nilambur - Shoranur Railway line is one of the shortest broad gauge railway lines in Kerala state, India. It is a single line with 66 km length running from Shoranur Junction (in Palakkad district) to Nilambur Railway Station (in Malappuram district). This station is just 4 km from the town of Nilambur on the Kozhikode - Ooty highway. Shoranur - Nilambur Road Passenger trains are running on this route.
Contents |
[edit] Stations
- Shoranur Junction
- Vadanamkurishshi
- Vallapuzha
- Kulukkallur
- Cherukara
- Angadipuram
- Pattikkad
- Melattur
- Tuvvur
- Thodiyappulam
- Vaniyambalam
- Nilambur Road- 66 km.
[edit] Scenery
The line passes through the eastern part of the Malappuram district and one can enjoy the beauty of the Nilambur forests while passing through. The line crosses Kunthippuzha between Kulukkalloor and Cherukara which borders Palakkad and Malappuram districts. Velliyar river, a major tributary of Kadalundi river (between Pattikkad and Melattur), Olippuzha river, another tributary of Kadalundi river (between Melattur and Tuvvur) and Kuthirappuzha, a tributary of Chaliyar river (between Vaniyambalam and Nilambur road) are other major rivers that this line crosses. Vaniyambalam Para, a huge granite rock is visible from the railway line which is one kilometer away from the Vaniyambalam station.
The railway line was built by the British primarily for transporting teak and other timbers for building ships and other marine vessels. Another reason was to quickly transport armed forces in case of revolt as happened in 1921. In 1920 - 1921 the line was completed. The line was removed during world war due to shortage of iron. It was restored post independence due to public protest.
[edit] Services and facilities
There are only passenger trains on this route. Nowadays, six pairs of trains (twelve services) run in this route.
Trains run from Palakkad Junction and Shoranur Junction to the Nilambur station.
One train runs from Nilambur to Palakkad, one from Nilambur to Ernakulam and four trains from Nilambur to Shoranur.
The line also caters to the FCI godown at Angadipuram in addition to the railway mail services. Ballast goods trains are operated to carry ballast from the Vaniambalam ballast depot.
Facilities:
Computerised reservation facility is available at Angadipuram and Nilambur
Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) was introduced at Nilambur and Angadipuram stations recently.
New station buildings are being constructed at Nilambur, Vaniambalam and Angadipuram. UTS cum PRS is also sanctioned at Vaniambalam (Wandoor) and will operational in due course.
[edit] Passenger train timings
Six pairs of trains (twelve services) run on this route.
Towards Nilambur Road:
1)Palakkad Jn. - Shoranur Jn. - Nilambur Road PGT Dep 5.45 hrs, SRR Arr 6.50 hrs, SRR Dep 07.00 hrs, NIL Arr 8.45 hrs
2)Shoranur Jn. - Nilambur Road SRR Dep 9.20,NIL Arr 11.05 hrs.
3)Ernakulam Jn. - Shoranur Jn. - Nilambur Road ERS Dep 07.30 hrs,SRR Arr 10.55 hrs,Dep 12:05,NIL Arr 13.50
4)Shoranur Jn. - Nilambur Road SRR Dep 14.40, NIL Arr 16.25
5)Shoranur Jn. - Nilambur Road SRR Dep 17.15 hrs, NIL Arr 19.05 hrs
6)Shoranur Jn. - Nilambur Road (Special) SRR Dep 19:45 hrs,NIL Arr 21:30 hrs.
From Nilambur towards Shoranur.
1)Nilambur Road - Shoranur Jn. NIL Dep 6.45 hrs, SRR Arr 8.35 hrs, Connects CAN-ERS/ALP Executive Exp
2)Nilambur Road - Shoranur Jn. NIL Dep 9.05, SRR Arr 10.50 Connects MAQ-TVC Parasuram Exp.
3)Nilambur Road - Shoranur Jn. NIL Dep 11.50 hrs,SRR Arr 13.40 hrs.Connects SRR-TVC Venad Exp.
4)Nilambur Road - Shoranur Jn. - Ernakulam Jn. NIL Dep 14.25 hrs, SRR Arr 16.15 hrs, SRR Dep 16.55 hrs, ERS Arr 20.00 hrs
5)Nilambur Road - Shoranur Jn. NIL Dep 17.10 hrs, SRR Arr 18.55 hrs. (Connects MAQ-Chennai Mail,CBE-TCR Passenger)
6)Nilambur Road - Shoranur Jn - Palakkad Jn. NIL Dep 19:30 hrs, SRR Arr 21:20 hrs, (Connects PGT-TVC Amritha Exp,CAN-YPR Exp,MAQ-Chennai Exp.) SRR Dep 21:25 hrs to PGT. PGT Arr 22:55 hrs.
[edit] The future
- Nilambur - Sulthan Bathery- Nanjangud Rail Line. It will be the shortest route from Kerala to Bangalore,Mysore,Hyderabad,and North Indian cities.
- A railway line of 236 kms is to be constructed for this purpose.
- The Engineering cum traffic survey of this line has been completed.
- The estimated cost of the new line is around 3300 crores.
- The major hurdles are:
- The forested areas in this region
- Opposition due to apprehension that many trains towards north may be diverted through this new route.
- Opposition from the bus operators running between Kerala and Bangalore.
- Hilly terrain in the Western Ghats
- Survey of 77 km long Angadipuram-Malappuram-Kozhikode line has also been completed.
