New Delhi: After a year and a half, the railways have started trying to bring train services back to normal. At present, only special trains are allowed. Trains that allow travel without reservations will run on a trial basis. Five trains, including the Ernakulam-Kollam-Ernakulam Memu and the Kannur-Mangalore-Kannur Express, will run under the Southern Railway from 30 onwards.
These trains can only be used for over-the-counter tickets. Railways have started allowing unreserved trains as per the requirements of each railway zone. Rail traffic across the country was halted in March 2020 due to the intensification of the covid expansion. Later, separate trains were started in stages.
The Tiruchirappalli-Karaikal, Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur, and Madurai-Red Fort trains will also run daily from 30 onwards. In the return direction, the train will leave Ernakulam Junction at 6.15 pm and reach Ernakulam Junction at 10.15 am the next day. The Kollam-Ernakulam Memu Special will leave Kollam at 4 am and reach Ernakulam Junction at 8.25 am the next day. The Kannur-Mangalore Central Special will leave Kannur at 7.40 pm and reach Mangalore Central at 10.55 am the next day. The Mangalore-Kannur Special will leave Mangalore Central at 05.05 pm and reach Mangalore Central at 8.40 pm the next day.
