Railways' double talk on more coaches exposed

By Express News Service; 20 Nov 2010

KOCHI: Though the Railway authorities have agreed to increase the number of coaches in certain trains after a protest by the passengers at Thuravoor on Friday, a reply by the Southern Railway in an RTI application clearly states that the number of coaches cannot be increased. The RTI reply has revealed the double standard of the Railways on the issue.

The Human Rights Defence Forum had filed an RTI application before the deputy chief operating manager, Southern Railway.

The forum pointed out that the number of coaches sanctioned by the railways for the passenger train is 14. But, the Ernakulam-Kayamkulam passenger train has less coaches than the sanctioned number.

In a reply to the application, the Southern Railway said: "Owing to shortage of general second class unreserved coaches, it is not feasible at present to augment Train no: 339 Ernakulam Kayamkulam passenger."

The Human Rights Defence Forum has registered its protest against the Railways' decision not to increase the number of coaches. The forum has lodged complaints with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Minister of State for Railways E Ahmed requesting them to take action on the issue.