Kozhikode: Despite high passenger demand, the Indian Railways continues to under-serve the Malabar region, with only a limited number of festive Christmas–New Year special trains allotted to the region this season. Out of 38 special trains running across Kerala, just eight pass through Kozhikode, including two services from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi that started operation during the recent IndiGo flight disruptions.

On the Mangalore Junction–Thiruvananthapuram route and Hyderabad–Charlapalli–Thiruvananthapuram route, only two trains have been permitted, while other limited services include the Kurla Mumbai–Thiruvananthapuram Central, and the Vadodara–Kottayam special trains passing through Kozhikode. Passenger demand on the special trains is extremely high, and many were unable to secure tickets due to delays in the train announcements.

During the holiday season, over 10,000 passengers travel daily from Malabar to destinations such as Bengaluru, but the limited rail options force most to rely on alternative transport. The region has just one daily Yeswanthpur - Bengaluru train and a Bengaluru weekly train service, whereas the southern districts operate 42 services. As a result, KSRTC buses in Kerala and Karnataka are heavily crowded, and private contract carriage operators have raised fares, prompting commuters, including officials and students, to increasingly depend on shared taxis.

North Kerala MPs have repeatedly raised the issue with the Union Railway Minister and Southern Railway authorities, urging an end to the longstanding railway neglect of Malabar, but their appeals have not yielded significant improvements. The region receives train services, though limited, primarily due to its connection with the Konkan route.

A Southern Railway senior official, Senthamil Selvan, stated, “The Railways operate special trains based on decisions taken at the highest level. The needs of Malabar passengers will be communicated to the Railway Traffic Department.”

CE Chakunni, Working Chairman of the Confederation of All India Rail Users Association, called the situation a gross injustice. “Everyone knows that passenger demand surges during holidays. Even with the special trains permitted, the imbalance remains. It is unfair for the Railways to test the patience of Malabar travellers, especially during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season,” he said.