KOLLAM: A Member of Parliament came close to the people on Tuesday. Mr Kodikkunnil Suresh travelled in the general compartment of MEMU train from Kollam to Changanassery on the Kollam-Ernakulam route to study the issues faced by passengers under his constituency. He listened to their complaints and promised to solve them quickly. The passengers told him that the Kollam-Kottayam passenger has not been restored after its services were stopped owing to track maintenance works. This has affected the passengers from Manroe Thuruthu, Perinadu, Oachira and Cheriyanadu, including students and employees.
They demanded in writing that the Ernakulam – Kollam MEMU (66300/66301) that reaches Kottayam station by 4 p.m. should be rescheduled to 5 p.m. to help employees returning home after office time. The train should reach Kottayam after 5 p.m. to so that employees who travel towards south can board it,” Mr Baiju Pranavam, a regular passenger, who gave the petition to the MP, told DC.
The passengers also wanted modernisation of the ticketing system at Manroe Thuruthu railway station that has old-fashioned card tickets.
Nearly 800 local residents from Manroe Thuruthu and East Kallada use the station for their daily travel in passenger and intercity train services. The station that lacks basic facilities has been encroached by weeds making it home to reptiles. Two toilets constructed recently were damaged due to the laxity of the authorities, Mr. Baiju added. The low-lying platform at the station also affects women and children making it difficult for them to board the train. The MP promised to take up the issue with the railway minister.
