Date:15/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/15/stories/2008071550120100.htm

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Railways facing paucity of coaches

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Most trains running packed to capacity in the State
Coaches sent to workshop never return on time

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the steep hike in bus fares, more and more people are shifting to trains as a convenient mode of transport. But shortage of coaches and lack of infrastructure facilities are turning to be a problem for Railways.

The hike in bus fares from Friday midnight has resulted in most long-distance and passenger trains running packed to capacity. The demand for seats in trains operating to major cities has gone up with the increase in airfare in the domestic sector. The train fares are cheaper compared to the revised bus fares.

The proposed Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) for short-distance commuters is still in paper.

“Many of the passenger trains that are to ply with 14 coaches are running with just 12 coaches due to non-availability of general second class coaches. The lack of platforms that can accommodate rakes with 14 coaches is also turning to be a problem,” said J. Vinayan, Senior Divisional Operations Manager.

Passenger trains operating in the Ernakulam-Shoranur, Thrissur-Kannur and Alappuzha-Kannur sectors and the Ernakulam-Kannur Inter City Express run with less coaches often leading to skirmishes.

Against the base requirement of 347 general second class coaches in the division, only 323 coaches are available. Southern Railway is also facing shortage of 120 general second class coaches.

While 68 AC two tier coaches are needed for smooth operations, only 61 coaches are made available. In the case of AC three tier coaches, 121 coaches are made available while the division needed 122. Four first class coaches are available against the need of three.

Railway sources said the coaches sent to Perambur workshop for overhauling never returned on time. The division was forced to accept sub-standard coaches. Divisional Railway Manager Titus P. Koshy told The Hindu that steps were being taken to increase the number of general second class coaches in passenger trains.