Image for representation | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT Rail commuters from Kottayam, particularly employees of Mahatma Gandhi University, have opposed the Railways’ decision to extend the Kollam-Kottayam MEMU service to Ernakulam, warning that the move would disrupt a vital evening rail link for hundreds travelling towards Kollam.The Kerala Gazetted Officers’ Sangh has also criticised the decision, while the Mahatma Gandhi University Employees Union has submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway, seeking the continuation of the 5.40 pm Kottayam-Kollam MEMU service.Under the revised arrangement, the 66315 MEMU, which currently leaves Kottayam for Kollam at 5.40 p.m, will instead originate from Ernakulam at 5.25 p.m. and reach Kottayam at 6.45 p.m. This would effectively deprive passengers on the Kottayam-Kollam stretch of their existing evening service, the union said in its memorandum.Hundreds of passengers rely on the train every day, and its coach strength was recently increased following sustained public demand.

Even with the additional coaches, commuters boarding at Kottayam often struggle to find seats and are forced to travel standing. The proposed extension would further strain their daily commute, the union said.The evening MEMU is particularly important as it is the only convenient train option towards Kollam after the Parasuram Express leaves Kottayam at 3.25 p.m.

Its withdrawal would leave students, teachers and employees waiting several hours for the next train.The union also pointed out that another MEMU service on the Kottayam-Kollam route, which operated at 4 p.m., had been cancelled a few years ago following the introduction of the Vivek Express. However, frequent delays in the Vivek Express reaching Kottayam have continued to cause hardship to commuters.Kottayam MP K.

Francis George has also opposed the extension, arguing that it would neither ease congestion on the Ernakulam-Kottayam stretch nor adequately benefit passengers. He has submitted a memorandum to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking a separate MEMU service from Kottayam to Kollam, preferably departing between 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m.Introducing an additional service, rather than extending the existing one, would address commuting difficulties without disrupting the established rail connection between Kottayam and Kollam, he said.

Published - November 03, 2026 07:55 pm IST