Onam special trains to Kerala hit by late announcements, inconvenient timings

The Indian Railways has announced 112 Onam special trains to Kerala between August 14 and September 6. Authorities say the total number of notified Onam special trips has doubled, from 55 last year to 112 this year. Of the 112, 38 are Southern Railway's intra-railway services, 16 are inter-railway services connecting other zones, and 58 are by other railway zones.

However, passengers aren't quite happy. While officials say the trains are operating during the peak festive period, passengers say the timings, dates and even announcements don't consider their inconveniences.

Timings are not well thought-out
The timings of the services between Bengaluru and Kerala aren't convenient enough, says R Muraleedhar, General Convenor of Karnataka Kerala Traveller's Forum (KKTF). "Both the departure and arrival timings of the trains are inconvenient for passengers. They would benefit the most if the trains leave from Bengaluru between 4 pm and 9 pm. Also, when the trains arrive extremely late in Bengaluru too, it becomes tough for passengers to reach their homes," he says.

One of the trains, the Mysore-Kannur special, starts on Uthradam night. The Hubballi-Kottayam Express departs on Thiruvonam morning. Tickets are still available for these trains, which reach their destinations only by Onam evening. 

According to him, there should also be at least one daily train to north and south Kerala, from Bengaluru. "Around six months ago, a Vande Bharat sleeper was announced, but it hasn't started service yet. Similarly, two weeks ago, it was announced that the bogies of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat would be doubled, but it hasn't been done yet. We fail to understand whether this is due to practical difficulties or some kind of lobbying. If so, why make announcements at all?" asks Muraleedhar. 

The story is the same in Tamil Nadu. MP Anwar, General Secretary of Confederation of Tamil Nadu Malayali Association, says, "To the Thiruvananthapuram side, the dates and timings aren't too problematic. However, the trains to the Malabar side are leaving from here on Uthradam and Thiruvonam days! How is that helpful if we can't reach home for Onam?" 

Bus journeys aren't helpful either
When they don't get a convenient train, commuters from Bengaluru board whatever bus they get to go home, says Muraleedhar. "People mostly depend on the Karnataka state transport buses. Kerala state buses also ply during these dates, but they are mostly not fit for long journeys. They break down, and often passengers have to wait for substitute buses. Moreover, at least two driver-cum-conductors should be there for such long routes," he says. 

Muraleedhar says he met Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan in Thiruvananthapuram on July 22, along with KKTF members, to request special buses for the Onam season. KKTF requested these between August 21 and 23 from Bengaluru and return from Kerala, on August 29 and 30:
a) Bengaluru to TVM and Kottayam - 8 buses each
b) Bengaluru to Kochi - 10 buses
c) Bengaluru to Kochi and Kannur - 5 buses each

"CM said he will consider the request and informed the transport minister as well. We got a few buses; based on that, two to Kottayam, 4 to Ernakulam, 3 to Thrissur, 8 to Kozhikode, 4 to Kannur, and one service to Trivandrum via Kollam, Kottarakkara and Punalur. Two buses were given for the Mysore to Kannur route and one each for Mysore to Ernakulam and Thrissur. All that said, the poor condition of the buses is a concern," says Muraleedhar. 

Anwar says that though special buses from Chennai to Kerala for Onam were requested, they weren't allotted. "There is only one daily service from Chennai to Ernakulam. KSRTC could have launched more services at least for the Onam season," he says. 

Late announcements also a concern
When train services are announced just a few weeks ahead of a festival day, it is quite an inconvenience to passengers, opine Muraleedhar. "A lot of people try to book whatever services they can, the earliest. By the time the special trains are announced, they would have already spent a lot of money on other tickets. Railways should announce special trains at least two months in advance if passengers should really benefit from them," he says. We have reached out to the Railways for their response, but haven't received it yet.