News
in one of the leading newspaper of Kerala, “Malayala Manorama “on 17 Aug 17 was
that the income of Trivandrum railway division under Indian railways was that
the income of Trivandrum division has gone down by 3 Crores compared to the
last financial year. Trivandrum railway division was formed on 2nd October
1979 as the 53rd railway division. The division consists of major
places like Nagercoil, Alappuzha,Kottayam and Ernakulam. Trivandrum division
operates many prestigious trains like Kanyakumari – Jammu Tawi Himasagar Express,
Kochuveli -Bangalore etc. Concerned about the income going down I am just putting
here my observations on why the income has gone down.
Reasons
For Decrease In Income
1.Introduction
Of Low Cost Flights
Many
commercial operators have introduced non-stop flights. The main sector being Trivandrum
New-Delhi .Nonstop flights take a maximum of 4 hrs and cost between 4000 to
6000 rs in economy class. But the fastest train in this route, the Rajdhani express
takes 46 hrs and its fare varies from 3400 for Third AC, 4500 for second AC, and
7700 rs for First AC class, excluding the newly introduced GST and dynamic rate.
We all are living in era where time is money and people goes for more comfort
with less time and money comes second (at least for those who can afford to
travel in Rajdhani and shatabdi Class).
2.
Late Arrival And Unexpected Delays.
Many
trains running inside Kerala state have failed to keep the time. Many trains
are getting delayed by more than 5 hours which is not at all expected by the
passengers. For example Train No 16342 Trivandrum Guruvayur intercity express
has a running time has a running time of little less than 7 hrs.It is expected
to reach Ernakulam Jn station at 2140
hrs after departing from Trivandrum CTL at 1730 hrs. But it’s saddening to say
that whenever I travelled in this train between Trivandrum and Ernakulam, the
train has failed miserably to reach in time. It could be ok with male travellers but for ladies travellers
travelling alone, reaching a place late night will cause difficulties. So they
will stay away from trains and will think of alternate options like Buses and
shared taxies. So the late running of trains will cause difficulties for
passengers and they will go for alternatives.
3.
Unhygenic Trains And Railway Stations
Although
the hygienic conditions of almost all trains and stations under the Trivandrum
divisions are quiet good, but some trains from Northern Railway divisions which
runs inside are in pathetic condition. They don’t even wash trains, the linens
and bed sheets are dirty. Take the example of 12511Gorakhpur (in Uttar Pradesh)
Trivandrum Rapti sagar express. Even though the train never enters Kerala at Palghat
town in time, the bogies are rusted and full of dirt. Till the time railways
don’t take care of maintenance, passengers will just ignore them.
4.
Unsuitable Departure Timings
Many
trains from Trivandrum are not Departing in a convenient time for the
Passengers. Example the very popular Cape-Bangalore Island express departs
Trivandrum at 12.55.Weekend passengers from Trivandrum who are in working in
Bangalore will not go in this train as this train leaves early which reduces
their time to spend at home. The next train to Bangalore is from Kochuveli at
1630 hrs. For this passengers has to travel all the way to Kochuveli which is
about 45 minutes journey from Trivandrum central station. And also the
Trivandrum –Bangalore flights charges between 1000-1500 rs with a travel time
of just an hour. So the passengers will prefer Flights or other transport means
like buses. There are buses from Trivandrum to Bangalore operated by all the
three state transport corporations namely KeSRTC,KaSRTC,SETC(Tamil Nadu),in
addition to the private stage carriers which are in huge number.
5.
Limited Availability Of Trains In Peak Time
The
trains during peak time in kerala are less or almost are Zero. For example
after the departure of Janshatabdi express at 1730 hrs, there is no Train to
Trivandrum between 17.30 hrs and 2330 hrs ,6 hrs. Remember Ernakulam –Trivandrum
is the main income route for trains and buses in Kerala , whatever be the time.
So non availability of a train in evening is like committing suicide by
railways.
5.
Introduction Of Minnal Class services by KSRTC
Kerala
State Road Transport Corporation has recently introduced Minnal class services
from Trivandrum to almost all main cities inside Kerala with very limited stops,
thus saving time and money to passengers
What is the solution?
2. Reschedule the Mangaluru-Nagercoil Ernad express in a way that it Departs Ernakulam Jn at 1830 hrs rather than the present 16.25 hrs
3. Clean and wash all the caches after each trip.Installation of mobile charging each and every coach be it reserved or unreserved.
4. Installation of LED Television an all short express trains..
