erala trains crawl, delays become routine
Sunday 05 November 2017 12:00 PM IST
by Our Correspondent
Kochi: Despite all the trains running late, the railways has been refusing to do anything to end the misery of passengers.
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timings of the Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur Venad Express were changed citing shortage of time to complete its trips.
But even after it was rescheduled, the train reaches Ernakulam half an hour late.
In October, the train reached on time on just two days.
All the trains running in Kerala are facing the same fate as Venad Express.
Rail passengers are getting stuck because of the operating department's insistence on letting a train cross only through nominated crossing stations.
In case two trains do not reach a crossing station at their scheduled time, the first train is made to wait till the train coming from the opposite direction reaches the station.
This could be easily solved by letting the first train go and let the trains cross at the next station.
But the operating department is adamant that it will go by the book in this regard and let the first train to wait at the station, thus delaying it.
Two years ago, when Rajesh Agarwal was the DRM, officers were given the right to decide on train crossings.
Now, the reason for trains running late range from the single-lane and repair works at Kottayam to restrictions on running speeds.
However, even on the double lane Thiruvananthapuram-Changanassery route, trains don't run on time.
Another reason given for the delay of Venad Express is the new stop at Sasthamkotta.
But on most days Venad reaches Kollam station 15-30 minutes late.
Trains have been running on delayed schedules right from the originating station.
There are no speed restrictions by the construction wing on the Thiruvnanthapuram-Changanassery route.