Railway Ministry puts Kollam-Kottayam MEMU extension to Ernakulam on hold

Kottayam: The Railway Ministry has temporarily put on hold its decision to extend the Kollam-Kottayam MEMU train (66315/66316) to Ernakulam, MP Kodikkunnil Suresh has said.

The proposed extension had triggered protests from passengers and passenger associations, as the MEMU service is heavily relied upon by regular commuters travelling between Kollam and Kottayam.

Following discussions with the Railway Minister and the Chairman of the Railway Board, the decision has been temporarily frozen, the MP said.

The Railway Ministry had earlier approved a proposal to introduce a new train service on the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kollam route as part of efforts to ease overcrowding on the Venad Express. However, instead of introducing a separate service, a proposal was made to extend the existing Kollam-Kottayam MEMU service to Ernakulam.

Kodikkunnil Suresh said efforts would continue to secure a permanent solution to the travel difficulties faced by passengers on the Venad Express while safeguarding the interests of regular commuters who depend on the Kollam-Kottayam MEMU service.

He also said pressure would be mounted on the Railway Ministry to sanction a new train service on the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kollam route.