Kodikkunnil Ramesh takes a train ride with the people

KOLLAM: A Member of Parliament  came close to the people on Tuesday. Mr Kodikkunnil Suresh   travelled in the general compartment of  MEMU train from  Kollam to Changanassery  on the Kollam-Ernakulam route  to study the issues faced by passengers under his constituency.  He listened to their   complaints and promised to solve them quickly. The passengers  told him that the Kollam-Kottayam passenger has not been restored after its services were stopped   owing to track maintenance works. This has affected  the passengers from Manroe Thuruthu, Perinadu, Oachira and Cheriyanadu,  including students and employees.

They demanded  in writing that the   Ernakulam – Kollam MEMU (66300/66301) that reaches Kottayam station by 4 p.m. should be rescheduled to 5 p.m. to help  employees returning home after office time. The train should reach Kottayam after 5 p.m. to so that  employees who travel towards south can board it,” Mr Baiju Pranavam, a regular passenger, who gave the  petition to the MP,  told DC.
The passengers also wanted  modernisation of  the ticketing system at  Manroe Thuruthu railway station that  has old-fashioned card tickets.

Nearly 800 local residents from Manroe Thuruthu and East Kallada use the station for their daily travel in passenger and intercity train services.  The station that lacks basic facilities  has been encroached by weeds making it home to reptiles. Two toilets constructed recently were damaged  due to the laxity of  the authorities, Mr.  Baiju added. The low-lying platform at the station also affects women and children making it difficult for them to board the train. The MP promised to take up the issue with the  railway minister.