**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1767, addressed on July 30, 2025, concerning passenger traffic on the Ernakulam-Kollam coastal route in Kerala and related issues.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, acknowledged the high passenger traffic on the Ernakulam-Kollam route, which is currently served by 132 train services, including two Vande Bharat trains.
Between 2022-23 and June 2025, Indian Railways introduced 48 new train services (originating/terminating basis), including 22 Vande Bharat train services, within the Southern Railway zone.
The introduction of new train services, including Vande Bharat trains, and the allocation of MEMU rakes are continuous processes, contingent upon traffic justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability. The question regarding the delay in MEMU rake allocation to the Trivandrum division was addressed within this context of ongoing assessment and resource allocation.
Key Entities Referenced
Vande Bharat Trains: A type of semi-high-speed train operated by Indian Railways.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the railway transport of India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri K C Venugopal: Member of Parliament who raised the question.
Ernakulam-Kollam: A coastal route stretch in Kerala, India, known for heavy passenger traffic.
Kerala: A state in Southern India.
Southern Railway: One of the 18 zones of Indian Railways.
MEMU rakes: Mainline Electric Multiple Unit trainsets.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1767
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
VANDE BHARAT TRAINS BETWEEN ERNAKULAM-KOLLAM
1767. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the heavy passenger traffic along
the Ernakulam-Kollam coastal route stretch in Kerala, if so, the details
thereof along with the steps taken to address these concerns;
(b) the details of new trains introduced during the last three years in the
southern division;
(c) whether the Government has any plans to introduce new passenger
trains or Vande Bharat trains along the coastal route of Kerala particularly
the Ernakulam - Kollam stretch, wherein the passenger traffic is at its
peak, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government is aware of the delay in the allocation of new
Memu rakes to the Trivandrum division and if so, the details of the
expected timeline for the same?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): Ernakulam – Kollam route is a well patronized sector. At present,
it is being served by 132 train services including 02 Vande Bharat train
services.Further, during the period 2022-23 to 2025-26 (till June 2025),
Indian Railways on originating/terminating basis, have introduced 48 new
train services including 22 Vande Bharat train services, catering to the
needs of various stations located in the Southern Railway. Moreover,
introduction of train services including Vande Bharat train services and
allotment of MEMU rakes are continuous and on-going processes on Indian
Railways, subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability
of resources etc.
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