There are nearly two lakh people from Kerala living in Hyderabad, and direct rail connectivity was long overdue, The flagging off of this train has brought joy to many families.
Hyderabad: The flagging off of the Amrit Bharat Express train service linking Thiruvananthapuram North and Charlapalli by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kerala on Friday has brought cheer to the Malayali community living here. Members of the community hailed the initiative, thanking the Prime Minister and the Railways for introducing the long-awaited weekly service, which they said would be a boon given the high demand on this route.
Families that have been living in Hyderabad for decades recalled the difficulties of rail travel to Kerala before the introduction of the Sabari Express in 1987. Until about 18 years ago, the Sabari Express ran only between Hyderabad Deccan and Kochi, limiting direct connectivity to southern Kerala.
Dr Sukumar, a retired government medical practitioner, said, “I have been living in the city for 60 years. In earlier days, there were no direct trains to Kerala. This new service from Charlapalli to Thiruvananthapuram is another milestone in the development of Indian Railways and a major relief for Keralites in Hyderabad.”
Mary Jacob, a retired medical department employee and a native of Kottayam, and a resident here for 48 years, said: “Before the Sabari Express was introduced, we had to change three trains. Travelling with children and waiting for long hours at different stations was a tough experience. While this new train is welcome, Charlapalli is far from the city. If the Railways can extend the service to Secunderabad or Hyderabad, it will be easier for elderly passengers,” she said.
Dr Saji D’Souza, chief managing director of a Hyderabad-based hospital, said the new service would significantly improve connectivity. “This train will enhance ease, comfort and faster travel not only between Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram, but also benefit passengers from Andhra Pradesh. It will help students, migrants, tourists, pilgrims, Central government employees and job aspirants. Until now, there was only one train connecting the capitals of Telangana and Kerala. On behalf of the community here, I thank the Prime Minister and the railway minister for this initiative,” he said.
Community members noted that travel demand peaks during festivals such as Vishu, Onam and Christmas, as well as during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The new service is also expected to benefit tourists travelling between the two states.
Suman Nair, a school principal, said, “About two decades ago, the train ran only up to Kochi, and we had to hire cabs to reach Thiruvananthapuram. There are nearly two lakh people from Kerala living in Hyderabad, and direct rail connectivity was long overdue. The flagging off of this train has brought joy to many families.”
