Shoranur-Nilambur Railway Line

Shoranur-Nilambur Railway line is one of the shortest railway line in Kerala state, India. It is a single line with 66 km length running from Shoranur Junction (in Palakkad District) to Nilambur Road (in Malappuram District).

tations

*Shoranur Junction - 0 km(Starting Point, 1 km away from Shornur Town)
*Vadanamkurissi
*Vallappuzha
*Kulukkalloor
*Cherukara
*Angadippuram - 28 km(Biggest Station in the line, 3 km away from Perinthalmanna town)
*Pattikkad
*Melattur
*Tuvvur
*Thodiyappulam
*Vaniyambalam
*Nilambur Road - 66 km(Last station in the route, 4 km from Nilambur town)

cenic beauty

The line pass through the eastern part of the Malappuram district and one can enjoy the beauty of Nilambur forests while passing through the line. The line cross Kunthippuzha between Kulukkalloor and Cherukara which borders Palakkad and Malappuram districts. Velliyar river, major tributary of Kadalundi river (between Pattikkad and Melattur), Olippuzha river, another tributary of Kadalundi river (between Melattur and Tuvvur) and Kuthirappuzha, a tributary of Chaliyar river (between Vaniyambalam and Nilambur road) are other major rivers crossing the line. Vaniyambalam Para, a huge granite rock is visible from the railway line which is one kilometer away from the Vaniyambalam station.

History

The railway line was built by the British for transporting teak and other timbers for building ships and other marine vessels. During second world war the line was closed and the track was used for catering the shortage of steel. After the war again the line was built beacuse of the people's protest and demand.

ervice

There are only passenger trains in this route. Trains run from Palakkad Junction and Shoranur Junction to Nilambur road. The line also caters to the FCI godown at Angadippuram in addition to the Railway Mail Services.

Future

If the line is able to coonect with Nanjangud (near Mysore in Karnataka) that will be the shortest route from Kerala to Bangalore, Hyderabad and north Indian cities. A railway line of less than 200 km is to be constructed for this purpose. Union rail budget has allotted fund for surveying this line but it is not in the proper mkomentum. Major hurdles are1. Hilly terrain in Western Ghats2. Ecological impact of the line as it cross the Nilgiri biosphere3. Opposition from the tourist bus lobby running between Kerala-Bangalore4. Pressure from the Tamilnadu lobby as many trains towards north will be diverted through this new route5. Lack of political support from Kerala MPs who speak for different lines like Vadakara-Mysore, Thalassery-Mysore etc.