Chengannur railway station

Chengannur चेंगन्नुर
Indian Railway Station
Location	SH10, Chengannur, Kerala, India
Coordinates
Elevation	6 metres (20 ft)
Owned by	Indian Railways
Line(s)	Kayamkulam Junction-Kottayam-Ernakulam Junction
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 (India)
History
Opened	1958 (1958)
Electrified	Yes

Chengannur railway station is an 'A category' station located at Chengannur, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) south of Tiruvalla 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 and Tiruvalla are the main stops in the Kayankulam - Ernakulam route via Kottayam. Nearest city is Tiruvalla, and nearest town area is Chengannur.

History

Chengannur rail link came into existence in 1958 when Ernakulam - Kottayam meter 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 along with the Tiruvalla railway station in Tiruvalla city of Pathanamthitta district, 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, Kollam and Pathanamthitta. The proposed Aranmula Airport is 11 km away from the station.

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 and Kottarakara is awaiting approval from the Planning Commission. Another line to Pampa via Pathanamthitta has also been proposed.

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

See also

• Trivandrum Central
• Kollam Junction
• Punalur
• Kayamkulam Junction
• Karunagappalli railway station
• Kottayam railway station
• Tiruvalla railway station
• Ernakulam Junction
• Ernakulam Town
• Thiruvananthapuram Railway division