Which is the Largest Railway Station in Kerala? Know About It

Kerala, known for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage, also has an impressive railway network. The state’s largest railway stations are not just hubs of transportation, but also play a significant role in connecting people across India. In this article, we will know about the largest railways station of Kerala in terms of area.

An Overview of Kerala

Kerala is a state in southern India, located on the Malabar Coast. It was formed on November 1, 1956, by merging Malayalam-speaking regions. Covering 38,863 square kilometers, it is India’s 14th smallest state by area. Kerala shares borders with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Lakshadweep Sea. With 33 million people (2011 census), it has 14 districts and its capital is Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam is the official language.

Largest Railway Station of Kerala

Shoranur Junction is the biggest railway station in Kerala in terms of area. Located in Shoranur in Palakkad district, it operates under the Palakkad Railway Division of the Southern Railway Zone. The station is a major junction where several important routes meet, linking Kerala with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and serving as a vital travel and transport centre for the region.

Importance of Shoranur Junction

Shoranur is a major railway junction where four important railway lines meet:

• The Nilambur line from the north
• The Palakkad line from the east
• The Kanyakumari line from the south
• The Mangalore line from the northeast

Because of this, Shoranur is often called the “Gateway to Malabar” as it connects the Malabar region with the rest of the country. It is the second station in Kerala (after Trivandrum Central) to introduce clean train station activity, where trains stopping for more than 15 minutes are cleaned. Facilities like lifts, She Toilets and baby care units have also been introduced.

History of Shoranur Junction

The history of Shoranur railway station goes back to the 19th century railways started in Kerala. The first railway station in Kerala was Tirur. The railway line was extended step by step:

• 1861: Line extended from Tirur to Kuttippuram
• 1862: Line extended from Kuttippuram to Pattambi, then to Podanur
• 1862: Shoranur Junction became operational
• 1902: Shoranur-Ernakulam line opened
• 1927: Nilambur road line started

The Palakkad Gap, a natural pass in the Western Ghats, makes travel between Mangalore and Chennai easier through Shoranur.

Layout of the Shoranur Junction

Shoranur Junction has 7 platforms:

• Platforms 1, 2 and 3 handle passenger trains starting from the station.
• Platforms 4, 5, 6 and 7 handle long-distance express trains.

The station has one terminal located on the northern side. The railway yard will be remodeled to allow all 7 platforms to handle train arrivals and departures at the same time.

The station is connected by double tracks on the Palakkad-Shoranur and Thrissur-Shoranur routes. The Nilambur line has a single track. All railway lines have been electrified for better efficiency.