Venad and Vanchinad to get extra coaches; railways allot additional coaches for eight trains running in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Railways have taken action taking into account the increasing train travel woes in the state. Eight trains running in the state have been allowed additional coaches. New coaches have been allotted to Thiruvananthapuram- Ernakulam Vanchinad Express, Ernakulam- Kannur Intercity Express, Kannur-Alappuzha Executive Express, Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express, Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity Express, Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram Vanchinad Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur Venad Express and Shornur-Thiruvananthapuram Venad Express.

Additional second-class passenger coaches have been allotted to these trains. These coaches will be available in trains from the 31st. Each train will get one additional coach. It remains to be seen whether this will bring much relief to many trains which are currently overcrowded.

Passengers had protested on October 20 against the detention of other trains to facilitate a smooth journey for Vandebharat. The passengers on the Alappuzha route protested by wearing badges written 'Duritamee Yatra' (this journey a misery). During the protest, the passengers complained that the railways were deliberately delaying other important trains in Kerala so that the new trains, including the Vande Bharat, could run on time. The complaint is that trains like Intercity, Palaruvi, Rajdhani and Ernad are delayed by 45 minutes for Vande Bharat.