Amritha Express


The 16343 / 16344 Amritha Express is an express train operated by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It run between in Kerala and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.
At first, it was extended from Palakkad to Palakkad Town, then later extended upto Pollachi, then Madurai, and fourth time it’s extended to Rameswaram. This train marks as the direct connectivity train to Palani & Rameswaram from Kerala benefiting Malayali pilgrims to Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple and Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple. This train also connects Pollachi, Palani and Dindigul places of Tamil Nadu directly to Rameswaram. Therefore this train will be a greatest benefit for the passengers enroute.

Background

It was introduced in January 2001 by the then Railway Minister O. Rajagopal, from to. This train is named after Mata Amritanandamayi, a well known spiritual leader of Kerala. At first, the train used to run between Thiruvananthapuram Central to Palakkad, then extended up to Pollachi, then extended to and finally to Rameswaram. It starts from Thiruvananthapuram Central, runs via,, Chengannur,,,,,,,,,
,,,,, Madurai Junction, Manamadurai Junction, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram, then reaches Rameswaram the next day.

History

It was first introduced as – Amritha Express, via. Later, from November 2015, it had been extended and operated as a special express between Palakkad Town and.
Then, from 1 November 2017, Amritha Express was extended to with new stops at, Pollachi,,, and by withdrawing stoppage at Shoranur Junction. Starting from 16 November 2011, at, eight coaches from was linked with Amritha Express and ran as Thiruvananthapuram Central–Madurai Junction Amritha Express / Thiruvananthapuram Central–Nilambur Road Rajya Rani Express.
On 5 May 2019, the link express from Nilambur Road was discontinued permanently, and both the trains ran as an independent train. Also Amritha Express was diverted to run via –– instead of Palakkad Junction–Shoranur Junction–Ottapalam–Thrissur. Therefore, Amritha Express will not touch Shoranur Junction, instead it will bypass Shoranur Junction. The link train Rajya Rani Express has got independent coaches and will run with new terminal from to Nilambur Road.
From October 16, 2025, Amritha Express was further extended to Rameswaram.

Locomotive

After electrification of Madurai Junction - Palani - Pollachi Junction - Palakkad railway line, this train uses Arakkonam Electric Loco shed based WAP 4 locomotive from Rameswaram to Palakkad Junction & WAP 7 locomotive from Palakkad Junction to Thiruvananthapuram Central. WAP 7 Loco Hauls From Thiruvananthapuram Central to Palakkad Junction & Wap 4 Takes Charge from Palakkad Junction to Rameswaram.

Timings

This train is a daily service train with the following departures and arrivals at some of these stations:-

Coach composition

The Train shares rake with Boat Mail Express with effect from 2025 April 14.
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