Tiruvalla railway station has three platforms and five tracks. The railway station is one of the busy railway stations of Kerala, with about 6,000 passengers boarding trains on a daily basis, and generated an annual income of in the year 2016–17. Both long and short distance trains stop at Tiruvalla, and at present the station is a way-side station, though terminal facilities could be developed. The Tiruvalla station lies in the Kayankulam Junction - Kottayam - Ernakulam route, and along with the nearby Chengannur railway station, is an important station en route.
Modernisation
The Indian Railways have included Tiruvalla railway station in its development plan for 2016–17. The platform work and doubling of the track are in progress. Battery operated buggies may be introduced at the Tiruvalla station soon, which shall also facilitate the ferrying of the elderly and physically challenged people in the railway station. At present, the platforms are not fully covered, and the full covering of all platforms including the fourth shall also be implemented. Installation of escalators is also considered, connecting the four platforms.Now errection of an escalator is in progress. The Railways would also set up a covered vehicle parking area near the Railway Mail Service complex, besides an upper class waiting room and VIP lounge at the railway station.
Significance
Tiruvalla railway station is the only railway station in the district of Pathanamthitta. The main importance of this station is highlighted by the fact that the world-famous pilgrimage centre, Sabarimala is located in this district. The station, apart from facilitating the traffic of the residents of the commercial centre of Tiruvalla town and the workers from other states, is the main refuge for people living in the hilly tracts of Mallappally, Ranni, Kozhencherry, as well as the low-lying areas of Upper Kuttanad. It is also the alighting point for pilgrimage centres like Sabarimala, Parumala church, Sree Vallabha Temple, Chakkulathukavu temple, St.George Forane Church, Edathua, as well as the cave temple and the old Shiva Temple of Tiruvalla at Kaviyoor.
