Shoranur: Highly congested compartments leading to stampede and breathlessness have become a common sight in the passenger and long-distance trains in Kerala – a situation that has arisen mainly due to the considerable reduction in general coaches and introduction of LHB (Linke -Hofmann-Busch) coaches so that more AC coaches are added to the trains.
In 2024 alone, more than 15 deaths are been reported in various trains in the state mainly due to suffocation and breathlessness due to over-crowding. Every day, at least two to three cases of passengers suffering from breathlessness and suffocation have been reported in Kerala.
In the past five years, in almost all the long-distance and passenger trains which has converted from the conventional ICF to LHB, two to three general coaches have been reduced and more AC compartments have been added.
Commuters who travel from cities like Thrissur and Palakkad to Thiruvananthapuram on a daily basis in the ‘Kerala Express’ are required to book a ticket in reserved compartments two months in advance – a situation that has arisen mainly due to the slashing of sleeper compartments to AC compartments.
“Train commutation in Kerala has become a nightmare for daily travelers in the past 10 year due to the regressive steps taken by the railways not taking into consideration the requirements and needs of the common people, but with the sole intention of improving the revenue. We have been raising the complaints with the railway authorities and public representatives’ innumerable times. However, nothing has improved. Even as we speak, the passengers are suffering due to congestion”, said Liyons J, Secretary, ‘Friends on Rails’, an organization that has been voicing on behalf of railway passengers.
On a daily basis the railways complaint cell has been receiving at least 25 to 30 complaints from commuters who have reserved their seats and finally end up sharing the seat or ends up in verbal tussle with passengers who have already occupied their seat.
“I had this experience of arguing with other passengers at least 10 to 15 times in the past 6 months in the Kerala express I am travelling. Have filed complaints to the concerned authorities and have raised it in the Rail App”, said Aju Kuttan, a camera man who travels from Alappuzha to Kannur on a daily basis.
The number of deaths after falling from overcrowded trains have also increased in trains in the last one year.
Even though there are RPF officials to guard the train in the late evening services, the overcrowding phenomenon has become a regular routine where it has become extremely difficult for the officials to manage.
Ease and low cost attracted many passengers to train travel. However, there has been no concurrent increase in the number of trains or coaches.
“If more MEMU trains are introduced from Ernakulam to Kollam via Kottayam or Alappuzha, KSRTC will fold up in no time,” says Kunhumon, a trader who travels between Alappuzha and Trivandrum thrice in a week.
Meanwhile ‘Friends on Rails’ will begin a protest from the coming week against the indifferent attitude towards the railway passengers where they have decided a signature campaign and then address the issue with the newly elected MPs in the state and the union ministers.
Highly congested compartments leading to stampede and breathlessness have become a common sight in the passenger and long-distance trains in Kerala – a situation that has arisen mainly due to the considerable reduction in general coaches and introduction of LHB (Linke -Hofmann-Busch) coaches so that more AC coaches are added to the trains. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
