Aroor: The MEMU from Alappuzha to Ernakulam in the morning is often overcrowded, and passengers struggle to find a tiny spot inside the train. There have been many instances of passengers collapsing inside the compartments due to overcrowding and a lack of air supply. Besides, the MEMU is stalled long at the crossings, adding to the passengers' woes. The number of train passengers significantly increased after the construction of the Thuravur—Aroor flyover began.
Hundreds of passengers, including women and students, depend on the MEMU train to Ernakulam in the morning. Meanwhile, the Kayamkulam passenger train from Ernakulam to Alappuzha at 6 pm is stopped for almost 25 minutes at Ernakulam and then at Kumbalam station for the Vande Bharat train to pass. This train reaches Alappuzha only by 9 pm after being stopped at many crossings. These trains are mainly depended on by commoners who work for smaller remuneration in metro cities like Kochi.
Meanwhile, Friends on Rail, an association of rail passengers, staged a protest at the Thuravur railway station, demanding to allow more coaches in MEMU and other passenger trains. The protest was inaugurated by Daleema Jojo MLA. District panchayat president Ananthu Ramesh, Friends on Rail Alappuzha district president Bindu Vayalar, and secretary Noushil spoke at the protest meeting. Daleema Jojo MLA handed the passengers’ written request to the Thurvaur station master.