Call for new railway line parallel to MC Road from Chengannur to capital

The Adoor Railway Action Council has renewed its demand for a new railway line parallel to MC Road, arguing that the proposed Chengannur-Pandalam-Adoor-Kottarakara-Thiruvananthapuram-Vizhinjam corridor is an imperative.

According to the council, the existing twin-line stretch between Kayamkulam and Thiruvananthapuram runs through low-lying coastal terrain that is prone to flooding and congestion. It says an inland alternative will ensure uninterrupted cargo movement, bolster national security, and provide a route for rail traffic diversion during emergencies.

The proposal assumes significance in the context of Sabarimala pilgrimage management as it connects Pandalam, which receives an influx of devotees during the pilgrimage season. A railway line running parallel to the MC Road, the council notes, would offer enormous relief to devotees arriving from across the country, particularly from Tamil Nadu. A rail link through Chengannur, Pandalam, Adoor, and Kottarakara would reduce the Chengannur-Thiruvananthapuram rail distance by 32 km and cut travel time to Kottarakkara by half. The corridor is also expected to serve as a growth engine for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Kottayam districts.

It would also enable quicker transportation of agricultural and industrial goods to major ports and airports. With Chengannur and Kottarakara likely to emerge as key junctions, the line could offer a more direct route to Tamil Nadu via Punalur and Shencottah, they said.