Rats, cockroaches invade train coaches; 2 passengers bitten within a week in Kollam

Kollam: Passengers are being forced to travel in fear of rat bites on trains. Two passengers were bitten by rats in Kollam alone within a week. Cockroaches are also infesting coaches as food waste is not being removed on time.

A passenger travelling on the Vanchinad Express was bitten by a rat at Kollam recently. Railway Protection Force personnel took the passenger to a hospital and arranged treatment. A few days earlier, another passenger on the Himsagar Express was also bitten by a rat. Passenger organisations have protested against the failure to maintain cleanliness, which has led to an increase in pests on trains causing inconvenience to passengers.

The failure to remove waste collected from long-distance trains at regular intervals is causing major problems for passengers. Apart from the nuisance caused by rats, lizards and cockroaches gathering around food waste, passengers are also being forced to travel amid foul smells. Rats chewing and damaging passengers’ bags and other belongings is also common. The presence of rats, followed by snakes entering coaches, has raised safety concerns. Passenger organisations allege that lapses by contractors responsible for cleaning the coaches are to blame.

Safety will be ensured

Railway authorities said steps are being taken to keep trains clean, keeping passenger safety in mind. Strict measures are being implemented to prevent rat infestations in yards, including the widespread installation of rat traps. Arrangements have also been made to catch rats in AC coaches.

Rats may enter coaches when trains halt for signals or other operational purposes, the Railways said. It also ensures that rats, cockroaches and other pests are not present in coaches before trains depart. Complaints in this regard will be taken seriously, officials said. Clear instructions will be issued to the agencies contracted to clean the coaches. Steps will also be taken to remove food waste from trains at regular intervals, railway authorities said.