KOLLAM: Train passengers are suffering due to the general compartments being cut down. Most express trains have one general coach at the front and back but both of these are always crowded.

The passengers are made to suffer by cutting the number of general compartments in addition to delaying other trains so that Vandebharat can run smoothly. Instead, the number of reserved and AC coaches are being increased. It is the passengers who are suffering from the railways' aim of increasing revenue. Most of the trains passing through Kollam are packed with passengers.

Not only is there no space to sit, but it is not even possible to stand in the general compartments. General compartments of Malabar, Netravati, Island, Raptisagar, Mangala, Chennai- Alappuzha, Chennai- Thiruvananthapuram and Jayanti Janata trains have been reduced and the number of AC coaches has been increased. Passengers from stations like Karunagapalli, Sasthamcotta, Kollam, Paravur, etc. are not able to board the Thiruvananthapuram- Mangalore Malabar Express. Women and children suffer the most.

Railways making their passengers suffer

1. De-reserved coaches allotted to season ticket holders on Sabari, Dhanbad, Malabar, Mangalore and Jayanti Express have been cancelled.
2. Most of the trains had two local compartments, one at the front and one at the back. Although it was cut down there was always one compartment in front. Now that is also gone.
3. The general coaches at the front of the trains were quickly shifted to the rear.
4. This will be known only when the train arrives.
5. Passengers including women are forced to run to the rear.
6. Railways are not even announcing this before the train arrives