The first idea of rail link from Tirunelveli to Kollam which was the trading capital of the Travancore Kingdom was conceived in 1873.

The construction of the metre-gauge rail route between Kollam–Punalur and Punalur–Shenkottai (Ghats section) along the scenic mountain terrain was started in 1873 by the British engineers and was completed in 1902.

It makes for a thrilling train journey as it passes over five big bridges and hundreds of tiny ones while negotiating mountain streams and valleys.

The station at Punalur was equipped with a locomotive service centre, Parcel and Timber Depot, Train parking bays, Storage Tanks for water and oil, etc.

The scenic Punalur–Shencotta railway lies across the Western Ghats, providing a valuable link across the southern states.

Infrastructure of the station will be changed as proposed in tune with handling demands and matching to the glory of past.