Railway Minister promises to consider more stops for trains between Chingavanam and Ernakulam

In a major relief to rail commuters, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has promised to consider the demand to grant stops for various trains, including the newly introduced special MEMU service from Kollam, at various railway stations between Chingavanam and Ernakulam, according to K. Francis George, MP from Kottayam.

The assurance was given during a meeting in which the MP directly discussed various railway-related issues with the Railway Minister.

While the new MEMU has been allotted stops at all halt stations between Kollam and Changanassery, the exclusion of stations such as Chingavanam, Kuruppanthara, Kaduthuruthy, Kanjiramattom and Chottanikkara amounts to serious discrimination, the MP informed the Minister.

The MP also pointed out that the newly introduced train is currently operating with insufficient compartments, resulting in severe overcrowding. Passengers are forced to travel in extremely congested conditions, with hardly any standing space. The MP also requested that necessary steps be taken to ensure service on all days of the week.

Seeks extension

Pointing out that the Kottayam railway station is equipped with all essential basic facilities and has six platforms, Mr. George also urged the Minister for new trains originating from Kottayam and that services currently terminating at Ernakulam be extended to Kottayam.

Mr. George also demanded additional stops at stations within the constituency, inclding stops for the Ernakulam–Kayamkulam MEMU passenger at Ettumanur, Kuruppanthara, Vaikom Road, and Mulanthuruthy; for the Venad Express at Vaikom Road; for the Vanchinad and Malabar Express trains at Ettumanur; and for the Velankanni Express at Kuruppanthara.

The Railway Minister has also assured that the remaining construction works of the second entrance at the Kottayam railway station will be completed within a month and opened to the public, the MP said.