Women travellers across Kerala raise safety concerns as ladies coaches still remain at end of trains

Kannur: Women passengers are calling for the relocation of ladies coaches to safer positions on passenger trains running through Kerala. In most cases, especially on passenger trains, the ladies’ coach is located at the rear. Following the infamous 2011 Govindachamy case, ladies compartments were shifted to the middle of the train for increased safety and police protection. However, in recent times, except for a few trains, these coaches have again been placed at the very end.

Often, this results in the coach stopping at the far end of platforms, causing difficulties for boarding and alighting, particularly at night. Trains like the Malabar Express and Maveli Express currently have their ladies coaches at the rear. In trains such as the Parasuram Express, coaches are placed both at the middle and rear. Long-distance trains like the Nethravathi Express and Mangala Express do not have a dedicated ladies coach at all.

A few days ago, a man reportedly boarded the ladies coach of the Kanyakumari-Mangaluru Parasuram Express at night from Payyanur and caused panic for several hours. Another incident was reported on the Kozhikode–Kannur Passenger, where a man boarded the ladies coach at Vadakara and exposed himself, leaving passengers distressed.

“There is no guarantee of safety. The demand to place the ladies coach in the middle of the train is yet to be implemented in many cases,” said V C Rema, a regular woman passenger. “Sometimes it’s in front of the guard’s coach, sometimes behind it. Even with clear markings stating ‘Ladies’ inside and outside the compartment, men still enter,” noted Dr T Jijikumari, a teacher and frequent traveller, calling for improved clarity and stricter safety enforcement.

Demands for Railway action:

• The position of the ladies coach should be clearly displayed at railway stations and on the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app.
• Coaches should be painted in distinct colours and marked with large, bold text stating “Ladies Only”.
• General compartments in long-distance trains should have reserved seating for women following the reservation model.
• The number of RPF (Railway Protection Force) and women police personnel should be increased.

Post-holiday rush

Following the Independence Day holiday, trains in Kerala witnessed severe overcrowding, with barely space to stand. On Sunday, daytime trains were packed with students and other passengers. By Monday, nearly all trains saw heavy rush from commuters returning for classes and work.

Due to lack of reservations in night trains, most students were forced to rely on day trains. The absence of the Shoranur–Kannur–Shoranur MEMU service on Sunday further added to the commuters’ woes.

Trains from Kannur to Bengaluru were packed to capacity. Many passengers also struggled with the lack of ladies coaches on these services. Thiruvananthapuram Express, Maveli Express and Malabar Express were among those that saw extreme overcrowding, with waiting list passengers packed into general compartments.

Although the railways operated an unreserved special train on Thursday (prior to the holiday), running from Mangaluru to Shoranur, no such special service was arranged on Sunday, despite requests — leaving passengers to face the post-holiday rush without relief.