Thiruvananthapuram division undertakes passenger-focussed initiatives to improve train travel experience

Riding high on the increasing passenger patronage, the Thiruvananthapuram Division of the Southern Railway is implementing several passenger-focussed initiatives to improve the train travel experience for passengers. According to the railway authorities, to meet growing passenger demand, the division has attached additional coaches to major trains operating under the division.

Fur instance, in the last one year alone, between April 2024 and May 2025, nine major express trains received additional coaches, including popular services such as Parasuram and Palaruvi Express, as well as trains serving metropolitan destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore, and important pilgrimage centres like Velankanni, Guruvayur, and Madurai. The Vanchinad Express augmentation is in the pipeline.

Increase in seating capacity

Further, the number of coaches in seven passenger trains serving daily commuters have been increased from 12 to 14.  Vande Bharat train services in the division are operating with more than 150% occupancy, ensuring faster and more comfortable travel with modern amenities. The seating capacity for these trains also witnessed an increase, ranging from 25% to 100%, ensuring accommodation for thousands of additional passengers daily, said the railway.

Train 20634/20633 Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat became the first service to receive a 25% additional seating capacity, while its coaches increased from 16 to 20, effective 10 January. Train 20631/20632 Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Vande Bharat service experienced the most significant expansion, doubling of coaches from 8 to 16, effective from May 22.

Upgradation

Major long-distance trains are also being upgraded with modern LHB coaches, along with standardised four general unreserved coaches. These changes have increased seat availability, improved passenger comfort, and resulted in reduced waiting list. The period from December 2024 to May 2025 also witnessed the highest level of temporary augmentation, with 31 train pairs augmented across 1,023 trips to meet peak travel demand.

Simultaneously, station upgrade projects have been speeded up to provide modern facilities and better amenities. The division is also prioritising efforts to reduce traffic delays across the railway network, said railways. Apart from the recently upgraded two new Amrit Stations—Chirayinkeezhu and Kulitturai, five additional stations across the division are nearing completion and will soon be inaugurated with state-of-the-art facilities, bringing world-class infrastructure closer to more communities throughout the region.

The long-standing issue of platform congestion at Thiruvananthapuram Central, which has caused train delays, is being addressed by extending platform number 2. This platform was short as it had the ARME (Accident Relief Medical Equipment) facility and therefore could not accommodate full-length trains, making it unusable during high traffic periods when all the platforms are needed. To improve the operational capacity of Thiruvananthapuram Central station, the ARME facility is being moved to a new location, and Platform No. 2 is getting extended to its full length. Once completed, trains will arrive and depart on time at Thiruvananthapuram Central without delays caused by platform congestion, said the officials.