Restoration of Overnight Train Stops in Kerala Hindered Despite New Permits for Other Routes

Restoration of overnight train stoppages in Kerala, which were suspended during the pandemic due to low passenger numbers, has not been fully implemented, despite the Southern Railway allowing new stoppages for 15 trains in the region.

Reports indicate that certain stops for the Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Mangala (12618) train, such as Kanhangad, Pazhayangadi, and Feroke, have not been reinstated. The Malabar Express also no longer stops at Irinjalakuda and Pattambi since the pandemic.

Following the pandemic, several passenger trains were converted into express trains, leading to the cancellation of numerous stoppages at different stations. Despite this, efforts to restore these stoppages have not been undertaken.

Railway board guidelines dictate that express or mail trains can only have stoppages at stations generating an income ranging from Rs 16,672 to Rs 22,442. Stops at stations failing to meet this criterion are not permitted due to concerns about expenses like fuel and energy.

Additionally, the Navyug Express (16687/16688), which connects Mangaluru to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra in Kashmir via Shoranur, is not operational, resulting in a significant inconvenience for Malabar residents who rely on it for travel to Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Delhi, and Kashmir.