Kottayam commuters oppose extension of MEMU service to Ernakulam
The Mahatma Gandhi University Employees Union and the Kerala Gazetted Officers’ Sangh have criticised the decision to extend the Kollam-Kottayam service.
Commuters in Kottayam have expressed opposition to the Railways' decision to extend the Kollam-Kottayam MEMU service to Ernakulam, according to The Hindu. The Mahatma Gandhi University Employees Union and the Kerala Gazetted Officers’ Sangh have criticised the move, stating it would disrupt a vital evening rail link for hundreds of people travelling to Kollam.
Under the new plan, the 66315 MEMU, which currently departs Kottayam for Kollam at 5.40 pm, will instead start from Ernakulam at 5.25 pm and arrive in Kottayam at 6.45 pm. The union stated in a memorandum to the Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway, that this change would deprive passengers on the Kottayam-Kollam stretch of their current evening service.
The union noted that the 5.40 pm train is the only convenient option towards Kollam after the Parasuram Express departs at 3.25 pm. Without it, passengers including students and employees would face long waits for the next available train. The union also mentioned that a 4 pm MEMU service on this route was cancelled a few years ago after the Vivek Express was introduced.
Kottayam MP K. Francis George has also opposed the extension, arguing it would not reduce congestion on the Ernakulam-Kottayam stretch or benefit passengers. He has submitted a memorandum to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw requesting a new MEMU service from Kottayam to Kollam, ideally departing between 5.30 pm and 6 pm.