Kochi: The saga of late running of trains via Kottayam continues despite the route getting
a new second track that was opened a couple of days with much fanfare.
Top Railway officials made tall claims saying the completion of the 21-year-long project to lay the second track between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram would lead to improving efficiency of the railways.
On Tuesday the
Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur Venad Express 16302 arrived 25 minutes late arriving at Kottayam at 0845 AM against its scheduled time of 0820 am. The delay further went up by 33 minutes when it reached Tripunithura at 0948 AM against its scheduled time of 0915 AM.
Originating from the state capital which is only 160 kms from Kottayam, it is unpardonable on the part of the authorities for turning a blind eye to the issue.
It is a blatant abuse of the programmes of the BJP-led government struggling to streamline the railway operations.
Chennai Super Fast (12623) too arrived Kottayam 12 minutes late at 08.09 am
against its scheduled time of 07.57 am. Its departure from Kottayam was further delayed by 16 minutes as it left only at 8.16 am.
Since Chennai Super comes from hundreds of kilometres away, one can give it the advantage of covering the long distance.
The worst thing about the railways is the absence of a mechanism where the common man could lodge a complaint that would reach the people elected union minister or top babus in New Delhi.
Kottayam MP Thomas Chazhikkadan of Kerala Congress (M), who was in the forefront of inauguration and flagging off the first train through the new track, was not available for comments.
Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram Division Manager R Mukund told thenewsskerala.com
track works and subway works were in progress at different reaches.
The early arrival of monsoon had caused problems in completing the work as planned, he said.
This may continue for a few days, he said.
Trains run late even after doubling
