Chengannur railway station

Chengannur railway station is an 'NSG 3 category' station located at Chengannur in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the busiest stations in the Thiruvananthapuram Central–Kollam Junction–Kottayam–Ernakulam route, primarily due to the Sabarimala pilgrims. The station is managed by Southern Railway under the Thiruvananthapuram railway division. Chengannur railway station mainly serves the people of Pathanamthitta district.

Chengannur ചെങ്ങന്നൂർ
Indian Railway Station
Location	SH10, Chengannur, Kerala, India
Coordinates	9°19′10″N 76°36′30″E
Elevation	6 metres (20 ft)
Owned by	Indian Railways
Line(s)	Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam line
Platforms	3
Tracks	5
Connections	Private bus stand, KSRTC bus depot, Autorickshaw stand, Taxi stand
Construction
Parking	Available
Other information
Station code	CNGR
Fare zone	Southern Railway zone
History
Opened	1958
Electrified	Yes
Route map km to Aluva 3 Ernakulam D Cabin 0 Ernakulam Junction 10 Tripunithura to Alappuzha 14 Chottanikkara Road 17 Mulanturutti 22 Kanjiramittam 29 Piravam Road 35 Vaikom Road 38 Kaduturutti Halt 42 Kuruppanthara 49 Ettumanur 56 Kumaranallur 60 Kottayam 67 Chingavanam 78 Changanasseri 86 Tiruvalla 95 Chengannur 101 Cheriyanad 107 Mavelikara to Alappuzha 115 Kayamkulam Junction 121 Ochira 129 Karunagappalli 136 Sasthamkotta 139 Munroturuttu 147 Perinad to Punalur Kallumthazham Overpass Chemmanmukku Overpass 156 Kollam Junction to Thiruvananthapuram Central

History

Chengannur rail link came into existence in 1958 when Ernakulam–Kottayam metre-gauge railway line was extended to Kollam Junction. The railway line between Trivandrum Central and Ernakulam Junction via Kottayam was converted to broad gauge in 1976.

Significance

Chengannur railway station is the nearest rail station to reach famous pilgrimage places like Sabarimala, Pandalam, Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, Parumala Church and Maramon. The railway station has been declared as 'Gateway of Sabarimala' by Indian Railways in 2009. It serves the people of 3 districts - Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. The proposed Aranmula Airport is 11 km away from the station.[1]

Future expansion plans

Development plan for providing an escalator for two platforms and Lift facility for Platform 2 is finalized and works has started in November 2013. A new line linking Chengannur with Thiruvananthapuram Central via Pandalam, Kottarakkara Kilimanoor and Nedumangad is awaiting approval from the Planning Commission. Another line to Pampa via Pathanamthitta has also been proposed. After the new line materializes, there would be stations at Pandalam, Kottarakkara, [2]

A sub-urban service connecting Chengannur to Trivandrum is under consideration.

See also

• Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam line
• Trivandrum Central
• Kollam Junction
• Karunagappalli
• Kayamkulam Junction
• Mavelikara railway station
• Tiruvalla railway station
• Changanasseri railway station
• Ettumanur railway station
• Kottayam railway station
• Ernakulam Junction
• Ernakulam Town
• Thiruvananthapuram railway division
• Template:Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam–Kollam line

References

1. "Better amenities sought for Sabarimala pilgrims". The Hindu. 10 October 2013.
2. Malayalam Manorama Issue-918 date:21-09-2016