The government has taken a serious view on the failure of Railways to operate adequate special trains from metros and other towns to the State during Onam season despite a personal request by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Official sources said here on Saturday that the Chief Minister conveyed the displeasure of the government to the railway authorities in this regard.
The government had expressed its displeasure at the dates, routes, and destinations of the special trains.
The government's response comes following the decision of Railways to operate only five special trains and the ‘concerted' move to skip Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi while running special trains.
The Chief Minister had written to the railway authorities last month to take steps to operate special trains from the metros and major towns so that the Malayalis working there could reach their home without hassles before Onam. He had taken up the matter after tickets were no longer available in regular trains to the State.
The special trains announced by Railways are from Mangalore to Nagercoil Junction (September 6), Chennai to Nagercoil Junction (September 7), Chennai to Kollam (September 8), Bangalore to Ernakulam (September 9), and Chennai to Kollam on September 10.
Railway sources admitted that the special trains on September 8, 9, and 10 to Kollam and Ernakulam would not serve any purpose as the festivities started on September 8 and Thiruvonam was on September 9. Moreover, the special trains would end services at Ernakulam, Kollam Junction, and Nagercoil causing inconvenience to those hailing from the southern districts.
In the other direction, special trains had been sanctioned from Nagercoil to Mangalore (September 5), Nagercoil to Chennai via Madurai (September 8), Ernakulam to Bangalore (September 8), and Kollam to Chennai (September 9 and 11).
Railway sources said the trains starting from Ernakulam on September 8 to Mangalore would not have any patronage. Similarly, the special trains on September 9 and 11 from Kollam to Chennai would not be of much use for long-distance commuters.
The Chief Passenger Transportation Manager at the Chennai zonal level is responsible for charting out the special trains depending on demand.
“Last year, Railways had operated 390 special trains during Sabarimala season and four during Onam. It is another example of neglect meted out to the State,” the sources said
Divisional Railway Manager Rajiv Dutt Sharma told The Hindu that there had been an ‘inequity' in operating special trains to the State during Onam.
“We have informed the railway higher-ups and it seems time is running short now to rectify the anomalies and operate more trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Goa,” he added.
