Title - Trains running in state to get more coaches

In a move that could bring relief to train passengers in Kerala, the number of coaches under the Thiruvananthapuram division is likely to increase.

If all goes well with the proposal submitted by the Thiruvananthapuram division officials to the Chennai headquarters, all trains under the division will be increased to 24-coach capacity in the coming months.

As part of it, the division has also submitted a proposal to procure 100 more coaches.

“This would mean that all trains under the division will get an extra AC coach and sufficient number of general and sleeper coaches,” said Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Rajesh Agarwal.

He said the proposal had been put forward to the headquarters for approval.

“Currently, only Mails and a few Express trains run with the capacity of 24 coaches, while other trains run with 18-22 coaches, which are invariably jampacked.

“We hope to introduce 24-full capacity coaches for passenger trains, express trains, etc.

If this becomes a reality, it will improve the comforts of all railway passengers.

Hopefully, the number of seats available for reservation will also go up,” he said.

The proposal, which is currently on the anvil, is expected to solve the demand for more trains in Kerala.

“The demand for new trains is not proportional to the supply.

But for a state like Kerala, where the capacity of the railway tracks is completely saturated, the best option is to attach more coaches to the existing trains.

The coaches can be easily substituted in and around other divisions under the Southern Railways,” Agarwal added.

Meanwhile, All Kerala Railway Passengers Users Association president Paul Manvattom said that the decision of the Thiruvananthapuram division should be hailed.

“Increasing the number of coaches is a positive step.

However, it would be extremely beneficial if the coaches were introduced mainly for the trains heading for Howrah, Bangalore etc,” Manvattom said.