Kochi: The railway ministry’s decision to extend the Kollam–Kottayam Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) service to Ernakulam has triggered mixed reactions across central Kerala. it has resulted in gaps in evening schedules for commuters from Kottayam While the move addresses a long-standing demand for improved daily connectivity to Kochi.
The extension order has also sparked a political controversy over project credit. The Southern Railway decision cited petitions from BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar requesting extended services to relieve peak-hour traffic.
The MP has again taken up the issue with the railways, which promised to look into the matter,” said Sreejith Kumar of ‘Friends on Rails’, a commuter advocacy group. “The demand was for the introduction of a new MEMU train from Ernakulam to Kollam around 4pm. However, the railways approved the extension of the MEMU service, which is already running full.