Kollam, The 44-km railway line between Kollam and Punalur that has been converted into a broad gauge line at a cost of Rs.150 crore would be commissioned today. Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed would commission the line and flag off the new train services in the stretch at a function in Kollam railway station at 11.30 a.m.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar, who is also holding the portfolio of railways, would preside over the function. Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy, Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan and Education Minister M.A. Baby would be present. The gauge conversion took almost 11 years to complete after the foundation stone was laid , by the A.K Antony in 1998.

The train services from Punalur to Kollam were withdrawn three years ago for facilitating the work causing great inconvenience to the commuters.With the commissioning of the stretch, demands had come up from several quarters to extend mail and express trains to Punalur.