All set for panoramic rail travel on Kollam–Sengottai line

Passengers on the Kollam–Sengottai route are in for a sensory feast as Keralam’s first-ever vistadome coach hits the track on October 22.

Attached to the Madurai–Guruvayur Express, the addition of this executive vistadome AC coach adds a distinct attraction for travelers, featuring expansive glass windows and rotatable seats designed to offer panoramic views of the Western Ghats along the picturesque Sengottai–Punalur ghat section.

Passengers will be able to experience the winding tracks, lush green landscapes, and mountain scenery of the Sengottai gap connecting Kerala and Tamil Nadu in ultimate comfort. Combining the convenience of rail transport with the region’s natural splendour, the service is expected to appeal strongly to tourists, families, and nature enthusiasts.

The basic fare for the vistadome coach is set at ₹ 515, with complete end-to-end route costing ₹1,875.

According to the schedule, Train No. 16327 (Madurai–Guruvayur Express) with the vistadome coach will depart Madurai Junction at 11.35 a.m. on October 22. The train will reach the border station of Sengottai at 2.30 p.m. and resume its journey at 2.45 p.m. It will subsequently stop at Bhagavathipuram (3.09 p.m.), Aryankavu (3.29 p.m.), New Aryankavu (3.41 p.m.), Edapalayam (3.49 p.m.), Kazhuthuruthi (3.57 p.m.), Thenmala (4.09 p.m.), Ottakkal (4.20 p.m.), Edamon (4.35 p.m.), Punalur (5.55 p.m.), Auvaneeswaram (6.10 p.m.), Kuri (6.17 p.m.), Kottarakara (6.27 p.m.), Ezhukone (6.34 p.m.), Kundara East (6.40 p.m.), Kundara (6.49 p.m.), Chandanathoppe (6.57 p.m.), Kilikollur (7.05 p.m.), and arrive at Kollam at 7.35 p.m.. Halts are scheduled for 5 minutes at Sengottai and Punalur, 10 minutes at Kollam, and 1 minute at all other intermediate stations.

Mentioning the significance of the new service, N.K. Premachandran, MP said that the train operates with stops at maximum stations along the Sengottai–Kollam section to allow passengers to fully appreciate the region’s scenic beauty. “The opportunity to view the sights of the Western Ghats from inside a vistadome coach will offer a fresh travel experience, unlocking the immense tourism potential of the scenic Kollam–Sengottai route and attracting more tourists to the region,” he said.