THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Railway Board approves new scheme to increase train services so that all passengers can be issued confirmed tickets. Considering the congested routes will pave the way for more trains to run in Kerala in the first phase. The first phase will be implemented within three years. By 2030, all services in the country will be brought to this level.

It is estimated that the project can be implemented by increasing the number of tracks and increasing the speed of trains. In Kerala, the highest number of passengers book tickets to Chennai and, the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangapuram route holds second position. The same is the case for the return journey as well. These are the routes where more than fifty percent of the booked tickets are on the waiting list. The case is similar with trains to the northeastern states where migrant workers travel. All these are on the list of the busiest High Corridor routes. Railways consider 75% of the country's railways as high corridors. All passengers are issued confirmed tickets only on the remaining 25 percent of routes.

The move for the comprehensive plan comes after repeated incidents of passengers dying in the rush during festival seasons including Diwali.

Ten trains to Chennai but still no tickets

• Ten trains operate from Kerala to and through Chennai. Even after booking, 50% people are on the waiting list
• 11 trains to and through Malabar. In many cases 50% of people are on the waiting list. Same situation in Vandebharat as well.

• Kerala will need more tracks and more trains.
• The project will increase the number of Vandebharat and push-pull trains by 35%
• High-demand corridors will have more trains running at increased average speeds.
• More number of faster push-pull trains and Vandebharat trains will be built.

Passengers in the country (annual)

• 2023: 945.66 crore
• *2031: 1221.35 crores
• *2041: 1547.02 crores
• Current trains: 10,748
• Loco Engine:12630