A crowded Venad Express at Tripunithura railway station
We demand the extension of the Guruvayur-Ernakulam passenger, which reaches Ernakulam by 4.15pm, to Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram. ”
The overcrowding poses severe safety risks to commuters who rely on these trains to return home after work or study, the MP said, while urging the railway board and Southern Railway to introduce an additional evening train service operating from Ernakulam to Kollam via Kottayam before the schedule of Venad Express. Introducing a dedicated evening train will effectively split the commuter volume, eliminate dangerous footboard travel, and restore safety and basic comfort for thousands who rely on this vital transit route every day,” the MP said. Meanwhile, Sreejith Kumar of commuter advocacy group Friends on Rails said, “The situation has become alarming, especially on working days.
Kochi: Amid severe overcrowding on trains during peak evening hours along the Ernakulam-Kollam corridor, Mavelikara MP Kodikunnil Suresh has written to Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking introduction of additional passenger services. Daily commuters, particularly women and senior citizens, face issues at major boarding points like Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Tripunithura. The primary reason is the absence of any passenger services heading towards Kottayam and Kollam scheduled between the departures of Parasuram Express and Venad Express at these stations. “Deploying these idle coaches will allow the railways to launch an immediate service without waiting for new rolling stock allocations. Many regular passengers have lodged complaints on Rail Madad, the official digital grievance redressal platform, but Railways is yet to take any action.