Overcrowding in Ernakulam – Kayamkulam passenger as railway reduces number of coaches

Alappuzha: Overcrowded coaches were what welcomed passengers into the Ernakulam – Kayamkulam passenger train (56319) recently after the authorities reduced the number of coaches. The coaches were apparently transported to Chennai for the maintenance work. Meanwhile, they were replaced with the kind of coaches that are used in trains like Jan Shatabdi. Usually, coaches with up to 90 seats are used in passenger trains, and each one would have at least six doors. However, in long distance trains, there will be only four doors even if there are 100 seats.

Besides, there is enough space inside the passenger coaches for the commuters to stand and travel. However, Jan Shatabdi's coaches are congested and hardly have any space for the passengers to stand comfortably. Passengers were seen struggling to sit or stand properly inside the overcrowded coaches. Many couldn’t get down or board at the stations as the coaches had only four doors. Currently, the railway divisions in Kerala lack enough extra coaches to replace the ones that are taken for maintenance. Besides, coaches have been taken to Uttar Pradesh for the special trains that were allowed for the Maha Kumbh Mela. The passengers were confused as they experienced unexpected overcrowding and chaos inside the train. Many passengers could not board the train on Friday evening as the coaches were reduced without warning.

Maintenance works may affect services
The train services in the district would be affected as restrictions have been imposed on the services due to maintenance works in the railway stations between Ernakulam and Palakkad. The Chennai – Alappuzha Superfast Express (22639) will end its journey at Thrissur. This train would not run service between Thrissur and Alappuzha due to maintenance works on the route. Meanwhile, the train will begin its return trip today from the Ernakulam South Railway station.

The authorities informed that the Chennai – Thiruvananthapuram Central Mail (12623) via Kottayam will be delayed by two hours while the Kanyakumari Express (16526) will be late by one hour and forty minutes. The Kerala Sampark Kranti Express (12218) via Alappuzha would also be an hour and ten minutes late.“The Ernakulam – Kayamkulam passenger train was overcrowded as the coaches were reduced without any warning. When we contacted the divisional office, they informed us that the same coaches would be used for the next one and half months,” said Haider Ali, President of Alappuzha – Thrissur Railway Passengers Association.