Persistent delays in the four- and six-laning projects for the NH 66 and NH 544 corridors across Kerala have triggered a significant shift in inter-district travel, with more commuters now relying on train services. This surge in ridership has led to severe overcrowding in MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) rakes and general coaches on trains, especially those traversing through Ernakulam.
“Hundreds of passengers are being forced into unbearably cramped coaches. It’s imperative that the Railways act swiftly to increase the number of coaches on MEMU trains and introduce at least one additional MEMU service from the district to neighboring areas. The elderly, children, and women are particularly vulnerable and suffer the most in these congested conditions,” stated P. Krishnakumar, general secretary of the Thrissur Railway Passengers’ Association (TRPA).
Krishnakumar further elaborated on the worsening situation: “Commuters on the Ernakulam–Shornur corridor are expressing profound frustration over the unprecedented congestion on the Ernakulam–Shornur MEMU (Train number 66320). The problem is exacerbated on Fridays and Saturdays when a 12-coach rake frequently replaces the standard 16-coach service, often leaving passengers struggling for air. Similarly concerning is the Ernakulam–Palakkad MEMU (Train number 66610), which operates with only eight coaches. The Alappuzha–Kannur Express (Train number 16307) also faces acute overcrowding. The TRPA has submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of State for Tourism, Suresh Gopi, urging the Railways to allocate sufficient coaches to both the Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad railway divisions, ensuring all MEMU and other short-distance trains can consistently run with 16 coaches throughout the week.”
Maximizing MEMU Potential
The ‘Friends on Rails’ collective, representing frequent travelers on the Kollam–Ernakulam route, has also voiced deep concern regarding the escalating congestion on MEMU, short-distance, and general express trains throughout Kerala. “The Railways should fully utilize the MEMU maintenance shed at Kollam by launching more MEMU services and expanding the capacity of current eight- and 12-coach MEMU rakes. This is critical, as there have been distressing reports of individuals collapsing in packed coaches due to suffocation,” cautioned Liyons J., the collective’s general secretary.
The collective has consistently pressed for the Railway to deploy 16-coach MEMU rakes during peak hours in the southern districts and to Ernakulam, serving both Kottayam and Alappuzha routes. Their aim is to provide much-needed relief to commuters impacted by the ongoing national highway development projects.
Railway authorities, however, attributed the current shortage of MEMU coaches to maintenance requirements. They explained that a 12-coach MEMU rake must be deployed whenever a 16-coach counterpart is taken out of service for repairs, which also limits their ability to increase coaches on other MEMU services.