View source for Amritha Express

{{short description|Train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{unreferenced|date=April 2008}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Amritha Express
| image=
| image_width =
| caption =
| type =
| locale =
| first = {{start date and age|df=yes|2001|01|01}}
| last =
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]
| ridership =
| start = {{stnlnk|Trivandrum Central}}
| stops = 22
| end = {{stnlnk|Madurai Junction}}
| distance = {{convert|617|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 15 hours 45 minutes
| frequency = Daily
| class = AC Two Tier, AC Three Tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved. 
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = No
| observation = Large windows
| entertainment =
| baggage =
| otherfacilities=
| stock = 7
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 16343 / 16344
| speed =
| map = 
| map_state =
}}

'''''Amritha Express''''' ({{lang-ml|അമൃത എക്സ്പ്രസ്സ്|link=no}})({{lang-ta|அம்ருதா  எக்ஸ்ப்ரஸ்|link=no}}) is a overnight [[express trains in India|Express train]] operated by the [[Southern Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]] between {{stnlnk|Thiruvananthapuram Central}} in [[Kerala]], and {{stnlnk|Madurai Junction}} in [[Tamil Nadu]].

==Background==

It was introduced in January 2001 by the then Railway Minister [[O. Rajagopal]], from {{stnlnk|Thiruvananthapuram Central}} to {{stnlnk|Palakkad Town}}. This train is named after [[Mata Amritanandamayi]], a well known spiritual leader. At first the train used to run between Thiruvananthapuram Central to Palakkad, then extended up to [[Pollachi]] later extended to {{stnlnk|Madurai Junction}}. It starts from Thiruvananthapuram Central runs via {{stnlnk|Kollam Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Kayamkulam Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Tiruvalla}}, {{stnlnk|Changanasseri}}, {{stnlnk|Kottayam}}, {{stnlnk|Ernakulam Town}}, {{stnlnk|Aluva}}, {{stnlnk|Thrissur}}, {{stnlnk|Ottapalam}}, {{stnlnk|Palakkad Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Kollengode}}, {{stnlnk|Pollachi Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Udumalaipettai}}, {{stnlnk|Palani}}, {{stnlnk|Dindigul Junction}} then reaches Madurai Junction, the next day.

==History==

It was first introduced as {{stnlnk|Thiruvananthapuram Central}}–{{stnlnk|Palakkad Town}} Amritha Express, via {{stnlnk|Shoranur Junction}}. Later from November 2015, it had been extended and operated as a special express between Palakkad Town and {{stnlnk|Pollachi Junction}}.

Then from 1 November 2017, Amritha Express was extended to {{stnlnk|Madurai Junction}} with new stops at {{stnlnk|Kollengode}}, Pollachi, {{stnlnk|Udumalaipettai}}, {{stnlnk|Palani}}, {{stnlnk|Oddanchatram}} and {{stnlnk|Dindigul Junction}} by withdrawing stoppage at Shoranur Junction. Starting from 16 November 2011, at {{stnlnk|Shoranur Junction}}, eight coaches from {{stnlnk|Nilambur Road}} 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 {{stnlnk|Palakkad Junction}}–{{stnlnk|Ottapalam}}–{{stnlnk|Thrissur}} 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 {{stnlnk|Kochuveli}} to Nilambur Road.

==Composition==

* 1 AC Two Tier,
* 2 AC Three Tier,
* 14 Sleeper class,
* 3 General Unreserved,
* 2 Luggage cum Disabled coach.
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|-
||| SLR|| UR || UR || S1 || S2 || S3 || S4 || S5 || S6 || S7 || S8 || S9 || S10 || S11 || S12 || S13 || S14 || B1 || B2 || A1 || UR || SLR
|-
|}

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

{{Railways in Southern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amritha Express}}
[[Category:Transport in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]
[[Category:Express trains in India]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Kerala]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2001]]