KRCL: Passengers and the Railways cannot be held to ransom by any individual at their whims and fancies
Train No. 12223, LTT-Ernakulam Duronto downgraded; And other trains between Mumbai & Kerala via KRCL
General Secretary, Western India Passengers’ Association Mr Thomas Simon has written a letter to Mr N. K. Premachandran, #MP of Kollam to point out some serious activities by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (#KRCL), which adversely affects the Fundamental Right of Freedom of Movement of Kerala bound Railway #passengers from / to #Mumbai and #Kerala. And, he said that the matter may kindly be taken up with the Hon’ble #RailwayMinister and the Railway Consultative Committees for further investigation and action.
He has also forwarded the copies of this letter to the #CMD, Konkan Railway and the Chairperson, Railway Board.
He referred his earlier letters no. BOM/KER/919 dated 27.04.2024 and BOM/KER/918 dated 08.04.2024 about the change of timings of 12223 LTT-ERS AC Duronto, making it slower by 65 minutes – one hour fifteen minutes – in spite of full electrified substantial doubling.
Shockingly, the #Train is also #DOWNGRADED to #Express Class from #Rajdhani Class by making it on par with Pune-Ernakulam Express train. Does this have concurrence from #RailwayBoard? If passengers ask for a #REFUND, will #KRCL make it? Today, train no. 12223, Duronto Express with 4 stoppage and Tain no. 22150, Pune-Ernakulam Superfast Express with 16 stoppage between #Panvel and #Ernakulam both are having the same path and equal running time.
It is understood that even during the #IRTTC (All India Time Table Committee) meeting held at #Jaipur from 10th to 12th April 2024, the Chief Controller of Konkan Railway has taken a very negative attitude, blocking improvement in #Railway services. For the past 4 to 5 years, they have the same retort “No-Path” to every new proposal. This matter needs serious investigation.
With this letter, he has attached Extracts of #TimeTable of trains from Mumbai to Kerala, by Image and PDF. “It was after a long struggle the respective Railway Ministers approved 3 Bi-Weekly trains from Mumbai to Kerala. Massive #infrastructure improvement has taken place after commencement of these trains. Instead of increasing running speeds of trains and reducing running time, #KonkanRailway is taking exactly the opposite action. These retrograde actions of #KRCL are causing huge #revenue losses to the #Railways, which needs #scrutiny by the #Parliament”, he said.
It may further be noted that Kerala Government is a #Stakeholder in Konkan Railway by holding 6% of Shares. But, Kerala is not getting its due benefits. #KRCL is mostly used for trains for other states other than stakeholders, #Maharashtra, #Goa, #Karnataka and #Kerala.
All these #trains are running at their original timings from 1998 onwards. #Duronto being made 65 minutes slower. The entire matter needs special attention. Infrastructure improvements on the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (#LTT) to Trivandrum (#TVC) Route:
- Electrified line: TVC-LTT – 1510 Kms: 2021
- Double Line: TVC-Mangalore – 634 Kms: 2022
- VEER-LTT – 171 Kms: 2022
The questions arise-
- Why there is no reduction in #RunningTime?
- Why more trains are not operated?
- Are these not causes for HUGE Revenue losses for In Railway and Konkan Railway?
- Who all are responsible?
He requested to the Hon’ble Member of Parliament and said, Kindly look into this important issue with the seriousness it deserves and also take it at appropriate level. Passengers and the Railways cannot be held to ransom by any individual person / persons at their whims and fancies. Immediate action is solicited.