2 Vandebharat trains started running between Pathanamthitta ∙ Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, and the regular train running was disrupted. A widespread complaint is that other trains are being held up on the way to pass to Vandebharat without hindrance. With the addition of signal failure and landslides, the travel woes double.
Alappuzha is a 69 km single track route and has the highest number of trains on that route. Vandebharat for Kasarakote passes through Janasatabdi Express, Eranad Express, Alappuzha – Ernakulam Special and Ernakulam – Kayamkulam Special towards Thiruvananthapuram. Vande Bharat reaches Alappuzha almost 15 minutes late.
The delayed Ernakulam-Kayamkulam Special is always late reaching Alappuzha with 20 minutes at Kumbalam to cross Vandebharat and 20 minutes at Thuravur for the Alappuzha-Eranakulam Special. Rescheduling the timings of the trains would make some difference, but it doesn’t.
16307 Alappuzha-Kannur Executive, which has changed its time for Vandebharat, reaches Kozhikode hours late after 11 pm on many days. For Vandebharat via Alappuzha Lokmanya Thilak – Thiruvananthapuram Netravati Kanhangat and Mangaluru-Nagarcovi Parashuram Kozhikode are held. Vandebharat via Kottayam mainly affects the Tirunelveli–Palakad Palaruvi Express. Palaruvi holds up to 20 minutes in either direction.
Apart from Palaruvi, Eranad at Chalakudy, Kannur-Coimbatore and Coimbatore-Mangalore trains are also caught at Shornur Outer. On the return journey from Vandebharat (Kottayam) the Kannur–Shornur Memu East, Kannur–Eranakulam Intercity Parappanangadi and Nilambur–Kottayam Express catch Pudukkad for 15 to 20 minutes. The situation with weekly trains is no different.
Automatic signaling is required
In order to find a permanent solution to the problems faced by the passengers now, automatic signaling should be immediately introduced on the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore route and the doubling of the Ernakulam-Ampalappuzha route should be speeded up. The problem in southern Kerala is congestion in Palaruvi and Venad trains. Accordingly there are no coaches in Palaruvi.
Only 14 coach trains can run on Punalur-Chengota route (Ghat section). Permission to add coaches is delayed. There is a similar problem on the return journey of Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur Venad. Between Palaruvi and Venad, from Kayamkulam to Ernakulam, MEMU trains can be run in the morning and evening to reduce congestion, but there is no action for that either.
Vande Bharat to stop at Chengannur from tomorrow
Alappuzha ∙ Vande Bharat train will stop at Chengannur from tomorrow. The train stops at the station for two minutes. The train from Thiruvananthapuram will reach Chengannur at 6.53 am. The journey will continue at 6.55. Coming back at 8.46 pm and continuing the journey at 8.48 pm.
The departure from Thiruvananthapuram has been rescheduled by 5 minutes earlier and the return by 5 minutes. Now it will depart from Thiruvananthapuram at 5.15 am. Reached Kollam at 6.03 and continue the journey at 6.05. Kottayam and Ernakulam timings remain unchanged. Thrissur: 9.30–9.33. Coming back: Thrissur – 6.10–6.13, Kollam – 9.34–9.36, Thiruvananthapuram 10.40.
2023-10-21 17:45:08
#Trains #diverted #Vandebharat #Passengers #stuck #road
