Title - Road traffic congestion: Refuge sought in trains

In order to rectify the traffic issues in the wake of the metro rail construction which is expected to increase in the city in the coming days, proposals have been forwarded to the railways to allot more stops at suburban railway stations in Ernakulam. Also, proposals for starting suburban train services and shuttle services have been presented to the concerned departments of the railways.

P Rajeeve MP said that he has submitted a proposal to Rakesh Mishra, General Manager of Southern Railways demanding more stops for trains to Edappally, Tripunithura and Kalamassery as traffic congestion is expected to double in the coming days. “The metro rail works which is being taken up at several parts of the city will lead to traffic chaos. Increasing dependency on trains in suburban routes is the only solution to navigate the traffic in the city in the next two to three years till the metro rail project becomes a reality, P Rajeev added. The representation will also be forwarded to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge soon, he said.

“A similar proposal was submitted earlier to then Railway Minister C P Joshi. He had shown enthusiasm in this regard. However, since he has resigned, the issue will be brought to the new minister’s notice soon”, the officials said. Once more stops are allowed in the suburban stations, congestion can be avoided in the south as people who wish to travel to the outskirts don’t have to get down at the Ernakulam Junction or Ernakulam Town stations.

“If the railways consider the representation, passengers won’t have to get down at Ernakulam and then take a bus to the outskirts, which is creating unnecessary traffic congestion here”, he said.

Currently, there are demands to halt the Parasuram Express, Island Express and Kerala Express at Tripunithura railway station.  Also, if stops for Express trains at Kalamassery as well as Edappally are provided, a lot of people will benefit from the process, Railway Passengers Association representatives said.