North Kerala rail passengers protest service shortage

The Malabar Train Passengers Welfare Association held a stand-up protest at Kozhikode railway station on Sunday, August 16, demanding more train services for north Kerala. The protest, opened by MLA K. Jayanth, came amid a shortage of trains, overcrowding, and long intervals between services, especially on the Kozhikode-Kannur-Mangaluru route.

Passengers and MPs including M.K. Raghavan and Shafi Parambil have raised concerns with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. They allege a regional imbalance, with 80% of Onam special services allocated to south Kerala. Demands include resumption of the Kozhikode-Thrissur Passenger, a new Mangaluru-Coimbatore intercity express, and additional halts at stations like Koyilandy and Thalassery.

Railway sources said some pending demands are likely to be considered soon, though security and other factors need to be assessed before adding services.