Kerala Faces Shortage of MEMU Trains Despite High Passenger Demand

Despite a significant surge in passenger numbers, Kerala is grappling with a shortage of MEMU (Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit) trains. Only 12 MEMU trains are currently operational in the state, a number significantly lower than the demand. When compared to other states, Kerala operates the fewest MEMU trains concerning the volume of railway passengers. Out of these, only 10 trains operate within Kerala, with eight of them running six days a week due to a lack of replacement rakes during maintenance.

The shortage issue is exacerbated by the absence of 3-phase MEMU trains, hampering the replacement of damaged units. One critical route, Shoranur to Mangaluru (covering 307 kilometers), lacks MEMU service entirely. Additionally, there are routes where MEMU services operate through neighboring states rather than solely within Kerala. Experts, including renowned Metro Man E Sreedharan, have emphasized the necessity of MEMU trains for short-route services in the state.

Currently, Kerala has two MEMU maintenance sheds, located in Kollam and Palakkad. However, expansion work at the Palakkad shed has been halted, while a Rs 24-crore expansion project is underway in Kollam. These developments underscore the urgent need for addressing the shortage of MEMU trains to meet the growing demand for efficient and convenient railway services within the state.