Kochi: Despite the ongoing modernisation drive entering the last stage, the benefits are yet to reflect with regard to enhancement of train speed and punctuality.
With authorities set to start the process for a new railway timetable formation later this week, the passenger associations have demanded measures for improving punctuality of trains running through the division.
Track doubling has been completed except in a small stretch of 19 kms (Chingavanam-Ettumanoor) cutting down blocks (train crossings) by 90 per cent, electrification getting over in Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore section and track renewal works carried out in over 160 kms. However, none of this has resulted in improving train speed and punctuality."
A few important trains have less stoppage now, for instance Kerala Express bypasses Ernakulam Jn, five trains including Dhanbad and Corba Express bypass Shornur Jn from April 1 which saves at least 30 minutes in running time. However, almost all trains run as per their old schedules with an increased cushion timing. It's high time passengers get the modernisation benefits," said P.Krishna Kumar, Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee member and general secretary of Thrissur Railway Passengers Association.
Currently in Southern zone, the division lags behind others when it comes to punctuality at 45.68 per cent as against Chennai and Palakkad at 66.4 per cent and 69.08 per cent respectively. As per the latest countrywide performance rankings, the Thiruvananthapuram division is ranked a distant 63rd in punctuality.
A senior railway official said the issue will be taken up when a delegation from the division will hold talks with members of the Time Table Committee in Mumbai later this week.
"A delegation is attending first meet of the Time Table Committee for this year in Mumbai. The time saving factor due to track doubling and trains bypassing key stations will be taken up. However, the same will result only in minor changes of running schedule of trains," the official said.
"A major time saving, upto an hour, can be effected only after completion of full doubling and track renewal works, which will extend to another couple of years. Our target is to achieve a speed of 90 kmph in the entire section in phases. We've started lifting speed restriction of 30 kmph in certain stretches in line with progress of track renovation works," he added.
