Kottayam-Kollam MEMU: Insufficient number of coaches causes overcrowding

Passengers in the Kottayam – Kollam MEMU (66315) that starts from Kottayam at 5.40 pm struggle inside the overcrowded coaches, often raising their heads above the sea of people to catch a breath of air. Meanwhile, those who wait on the platforms hold their breath with anxiety as they watch passengers hanging dangerously out of the doors and standing on the steps as they are unable to set foot inside the congested compartments.

An elderly woman and two girls fell unconscious inside the compartments the other day as they struggled to breathe. However, there wasn’t space inside the compartment even for them to sit down and rest a bit. The train is often packed when it departs Kottayam at 5.40 pm. Passengers can’t even board the train at stations like Changanassery, Thiruvalla and Chengannur. Kerala Express and Venad are the trains that run on the same route after the MEMU. Kerala Express often fails to stick to the schedule while it would be too late to reach home if you catch Venad.

The MEMU train has only eight coaches, which is why passengers struggle inside the overcrowded compartments. Office workers from Kottayam and students rely on this train, which gets overwhelmingly or dangerously crowded on weekdays. The crowd often gets uncontrollable on most days, as it is the first train after office time ends. The current crisis could be solved if the number of coaches in the MEMU train is increased from eight to 16. However, regular passengers complain that the railway authorities have been turning a deaf ear to this demand.

Passengers demand 16 coaches
Recently, the number of coaches in the MEMU train via Alappuzha was increased to 16. However, most of the coaches get empty by the time this train reaches Kayamkulam. Meanwhile, passengers in the Kottayam MEMU struggle to catch their breath or even stand comfortably inside the overcrowded compartments. Passengers have been urging the authorities for a long time to allow 16 coaches for this MEMU.

Kottayam – Kollam MEMU that starts at 5.40 pm is the only train in this route after the Parasuram Express that arrives at Kottayam at 3.30 pm. The timing of the MEMU train is perfect, especially for the office workers and students. Besides, most people can reach the station around this time due to potholes on the road and severe traffic congestion. Meanwhile, the passengers say that the crowds could be managed by increasing the number of coaches or allowing another MEMU at 4.45 pm or 5 pm.

The struggles of commoners who rely on trains as a cheaper and faster means of travel wouldn’t end just by allowing more Vande Bharat trains or other premium trains. The passengers are clearly annoyed at the apathy of the authorities. Moreover, the passengers warn that they may start protesting if the authorities do not heed their pleas.