Tirur: A train service operated by the railways on an experimental basis has become a huge success among the passengers on the route. Now, the passengers demand to cancel its ‘special’ status and make it a permanent service. The Southern Railways started the Shoranur – Kannur – Shoranur unreserved Express as a special train, as complaints have been rife about overcrowding due to a severe shortage of trains in the Malabar region. The train that began running on this route on July 2 instantly became a hit. “It is essential to make this train permanent. Besides, new compartments too should be added as the window shutters are rusted,” says M Firos, a passenger.
The new train has become a blessing for the passengers who suffer excruciating journeys in the Netravati Express in the evening and the Kannur Express that arrives an hour later. This train is especially beneficial for the passengers to the Kannur side, who board from Tanur station onwards. Besides, those who cannot catch the Parasuram Express, to Shoranur side in the morning too could use this train. “The train gets filled by the time it reaches Tirur, which means that the service is successful. This train should be made permanent on this route,” says another passenger K Raghunath.
Currently, this train operates services from Shoranur only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. But, the service is likely to be ceased on July 31 as it runs as a special train. The return services are only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; this too would stop on August 1. The passengers have been requesting the railways to issue a special order to make this train permanent on this route. “The authorities should take the necessary action to make the Shoranur – Kannur – Shoranur train permanent, as the experimental run has been successful,” notes Muneer of Malabar Rail Users Forum. The train named ‘Express’ charges Rs 30 as ticket fare. The minimum fare on unreserved trains that cover less than 200 kilometres is Rs 10. The passengers want to implement this fare too.
