**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 664, addressed to the Minister of Railways on July 23, 2025, inquired about the resumption of direct passenger train services on the Tirunelveli-Pavoorchatram-Tenkasi-Kollam route, following the completion of gauge conversion in 2018. The question raised concerns regarding delays in service resumption, reasons for the delay, established timelines for resumption, and steps being taken to address the concerns of Tenkasi district residents.
In response, the Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated that the Tirunelveli-Pavurchatram-Sengottai-Tenkasi-Kollam sector is currently served by the daily 16791/16792 Tuticorin-Palakkad Palaruvi Express. Furthermore, 14 train services operate on the Tirunelveli-Sengottai sector, and 16 train services cater to the Sengottai-Kollam sector. The Minister added that the introduction of new train services is an ongoing process, contingent upon traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for the country's railway transport.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Tirunelveli: A city in Tamil Nadu, India; mentioned as part of a railway route.
Pavoorchatram: A town in Tamil Nadu, India; mentioned as part of a railway route.
Tenkasi: A town and a district in Tamil Nadu, India; mentioned as part of a railway route and a district with concerned residents.
Kollam: A city in Kerala, India; mentioned as part of a railway route.
Palaruvi Express: A daily train service running between Tuticorin and Palakkad.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 664
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
RESUMPTION OF DIRECT TRAIN SERVICE
664. DR. RANI SRIKUMAR:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government is aware of the delay in resuming direct
passenger train services on the Tirunelveli–Pavoorchatram–Tenkasi–Kollam
route despite the completion of gauge conversion in 2018;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any timeline has been established for the resumption of these
train services to alleviate the hardships faced by daily commuters and the
local population; and
(d) the details of the steps being taken to address the concerns raised by the
residents of Tenkasi district and ensure timely restoration of the train
services?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) At present, Tirunelveli – Pavurchatram – Sengottai - Tenkasi -
Kollam sector is presently being served by the daily service of 16791/16792
Tuticorin – Palakkad Palaruvi Express. Further, 14 train services are catering
to the needs of Tirunelveli - Sengottai sector and 16 train services are
catering to the needs of Sengottai - Kollam sector.
Besides, introduction of train services is an on-going process on Indian
Railways, subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of
resources, etc.
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