Trivandrum: The much required electrification work on the Trivandrum-Kanyakumari line is almost complete and the line is to be commissioned by February end or by March, according to Railway Divisional Authorities. Only the final touches remain on the 87 kilometre stretch. Once commissioned, the entire route from Kanyakumari to New Delhi would be fully electrified.


The route is of strategic importance to the state as the proposed rail link to the upcoming Vizhinjam International Container Terminal is to divert off from this line. While the completion of electrification work is sure to bring joy to the commuters, with the deck that much more cleared up for the introduction of the Kollam–Nagercoil MEMU train which was announced in the 2011-2012 Railway Budget, the doubling works still lags behind due to land acquisition problems.

The introduction of MEMU is being delayed due to the delay in the construction of the MEMU shed at Kollam Junction. With the move implemented to reduce the number of stops for the Express-Superfast trains, the need for MEMU train services between short stretches has become vital. The line doubling work between Kayamkulam and Ernakulam stretch, via both Alappuzha and Kottayam, is continuing to get delayed due to inability to procure land on a timely basis, but as a consolation the doubling of the line between Mavelikkara and Chengannur has also been more or less completed with the CRS (Commissioner for Rail Safety) inspection scheduled for March.