Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Rail commuters cry out for basic facilities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lack of basic infrastructure facilities such as foot overbridge, platforms that accommodate 21 coaches and a covered platform at the Murukkumpuzha railway station is causing hardship to hundreds who commute from here to the capital and other destinations.

Although the station has three railway lines, it is the only one in the entire division that does not have a foot overbridge for the commuters to move from one platform to another. They are now forced to move along the tracks risking their lives.

Another problem is the difference in level of the two platforms at the station. Platform one is at a lower level and platform 2 at a higher level. The two platforms can accommodate only 14-15 coaches and often the general and ladies compartments remain outside the platform, making boarding and alighting difficult. The women and the aged are the worst hit. Also, Platform 2 does not have a covered roof to protect the commuters from the sun and rain. The entry to the station is from the Mangalapuram-Murukkumpuzha ferry road. The 200-metre approach road to the station from this main road has been in a state of disrepair for long. The road has been tendered by the railways for resurfacing.

Railway materials are stacked on the premises of the station. The building has not been given a face-lift for several years. The plants and shrubs in front of the station have not been pruned for months. Commuters have been demanding a covered parking lot for two-wheelers and bicycles.

Railway sources said the 0727 Madurai-Kollam Passenger is held up at the Murukkumpuzha station to give priority to the 7229 Hyderabad-bound Sabari Express and the 6328 Mumbai-bound Jayanti Janata Express. Often, this causes problems to office-goers and students who proceed to places beyond Kollam.

Located 21 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central, the railway station is used mainly by those hailing from Mangalapuram, Azhoor, Pothencode, Kadinamkulam and Pallipuram panchayats. Besides, it is the servicing station for the CRPF Group Centre at Pallipuram and the upcoming Technocity.

Season tickets are issued from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as the station does not have a designated clerk. The Station Master has to do all the chores, including issuing of tickets.

Trespassing is also turning out to be a headache for the authorities, as there is no fencing in the station situated in the electrified stretch. Recently, a woman was run over by a train near the level-crossing. Anti-social activities are another problem.

It takes one-and-a-half hours to commute by road from the capital to Murukkumpuzha as compared to 20 minutes by train. While the fare from Murukkumpuzha to the city is Rs.13 by ordinary bus, the rail fare is Rs.5 by passenger train and Rs.18 by Express train.

At present, three pairs of passenger trains and the 6629/6630 Malabar Express stop at the station. Railway sources said the passenger trains and the Malabar Express have good patronage. The Railway Passenger Association has been demanding more facilities and stoppage for the Guruvayur and Amritha Express.

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