Reports of poor patronage for the maiden intra-district MEMU train in Kerala were received with a sense of outrage by those who had passionately campaigned for the service.
Chairman of Kochi Corporation’s Town Planning Standing Committee K.J. Sohan said more commuters would utilise the service as days passed by. “The intra-district service was a surprise announcement. The train could operate with lesser number of coaches till it attracts more passengers. The schedules could be reworked based on passenger convenience,” he said.
“Renovating the Harbour Terminus station and extending the service there would benefit thousands of people from West Kochi who yearn for cost-effective commuting modes,” he added.
Mr. Sohan called for establishing halt stations at busy hubs such as Nedumbassery, Vyttila and Vathuruthy so that short-distance commuter trains such as the MEMU could stop there for a minute to pick up passengers.
President of the All Kerala Railway Users Association Paul Manvettom called for operating the train from Vaikom to Chalakudy during morning and evening peak hours.
“This will considerably decongest jam-packed long and short-distance trains on the stretch,” he said.
While demanding extension of the new MEMU to Old Railway Station, general convenor of Old Railway Station Vikasana Samity K.P. Harihara Kumar alleged that a couple of influential people’s representatives from the district were trying to sabotage the restoration of train services to the station.
After dilly-dallying for years, the Railway has assured that a ticket counter and station-master room would be readied on the premises.
Works must begin early and in right earnest so that the station and tracks were restored by October 2 in order to host the MEMU and other short-distance trains, Mr. Kumar said.
