Too many halts hamper train speed upgrade on Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam stretch: Railways
While trains like Vande Bharat to Kasaragod and Mangaluru have the advantage of higher speeds, others such as Venad Express, with 19 halts, Thiruvananthapuram-Guruvayur Intercity, with 14 halts, and Vanchinad Express, with 17, run at an average speed of just 45-50 kmph between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. Other trains with over 10 stops on the stretch also struggle to cross this speed range.
'Reducing stops is not feasible, as it would spark protests by elected representatives and local associations. Our engineering team in Thiruvananthapuram is working on ways to increase the speed of trains with over 10 stops without cutting down the number of halts,' a senior railway official said.
Many senior officials admitted that political leaders often view new stops as a matter of pride, especially ahead of elections. A retired divisional railway manager echoed the concern, noting that Vande Bharat trains can currently run at a speed of 100-110 kmph only because they have fewer stops. 'If more halts are added, those trains will lose their edge. Allocation of more stoppages remains a chronic issue in Southern Railways,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
07-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Too many halts hamper train speed upgrade on Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam stretch: Railways
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Excessive stops of several trains are posing a hindrance to increasing the top speed on the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam stretch to 110 kmph. MPs and MLAs continue to press for additional halts, undermining the efforts of the Thiruvananthapuram railway division, according to sources with Southern Railways. While trains like Vande Bharat to Kasaragod and Mangaluru have the advantage of higher speeds, others such as Venad Express, with 19 halts, Thiruvananthapuram-Guruvayur Intercity, with 14 halts, and Vanchinad Express, with 17, run at an average speed of just 45-50 kmph between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. Other trains with over 10 stops on the stretch also struggle to cross this speed range. 'Reducing stops is not feasible, as it would spark protests by elected representatives and local associations. Our engineering team in Thiruvananthapuram is working on ways to increase the speed of trains with over 10 stops without cutting down the number of halts,' a senior railway official said. Many senior officials admitted that political leaders often view new stops as a matter of pride, especially ahead of elections. A retired divisional railway manager echoed the concern, noting that Vande Bharat trains can currently run at a speed of 100-110 kmph only because they have fewer stops. 'If more halts are added, those trains will lose their edge. Allocation of more stoppages remains a chronic issue in Southern Railways,' he said.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Time of India
Railways approves underpass for Thokkottu-Olapete link
Mangaluru: Southern Railways has approved the construction of a pedestrian railway underpass at Thokkottu to connect Olapete. Residents of Olapete in Ullal, one of the oldest towns in the area, have faced difficulty for a long time to cross railway tracks due to a lack of infrastructure. With no railway gate, foot overbridge, or underpass, people were forced to walk across the tracks illegally. Following repeated representations and inspections, Southern Railway approved a pedestrian underpass of 3m to connect Thokkottu with Olapete, said speaker and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader. The underpass will be built for Rs 2 crore, he said. "The access from Thokkottu to Olapete is a major stretch that connects the national highway with Ullal town. However, the railway tracks on the stretch cause inconvenience for thousands of people, including students and residents. They are forced to cross the railway track on the stretch to access markets, schools, colleges, mosques, temples, and churches. Although the railway department long demanded the closure of the level crossing due to safety concerns and past mishaps, local authorities so far maintained access in consideration of public convenience," the MLA said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like അപൂർവ്വയിനം റോസാ വിത്തുകൾ: വേഗത്തിലുള്ള ഡെലിവറി Rare Climbing Rose Seeds Learn More Undo "With the railway department giving approval for constructing the underpass, the work will be taken up within three to four months. Once completed, pedestrians and two-wheelers will be allowed," he added. Ullal Students Union, in association with various like-minded organisations, held protests to draw the attention of the people's representatives and the railways to the demands of an underpass. Organisations also submitted memoranda to people's representatives and officials in the past.
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- The Hindu
Posters at Ooty railway station stoke allegations of Hindi imposition
Two posters that had been put up in the Udhagamandalam Railway Station stoked allegations of Hindi imposition and appropriation following which they were removed. In one poster, a quote by national poet Subramania Bharathi, transliterated into English as: 'Let us bring various literary forms and noble thoughts from all over the world,' was falsely attributed to Indian National Congress former president, Madan Mohan Malaviya. Meanwhile, another poster had a quote by Madabhushi Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, which read: 'Non-Hindi speaking too realise their dreams with simple spoken Hindi.' A section of visitors to the station objected to these posters with some voicing their opposition on social media. 'While the quote by Ananthasayanam Ayyangar can be seen as a subtle means of promoting Hindi, the other poster, of the quote by Bharathiar being falsely attributed to Malviya entirely is condemnable. As the posters have been sanctioned by the Union government, to be put up in a public space, the accuracy of such posters, and their potential to be interpreted as a means of imposing Hindi, should have been checked and vetted before being allowed to be put up,' said an activist from the Nilgiris, who had drawn the attention of the Southern Railways to the issue. Tweeting about the issue, Nilgiris MP A. Raja of the DMK said 'Hindi imposition is unacceptable! The use of Hindi in Indian railway stations in increasing every day. Especially in my constituency in the Nilgiris, the banners installed in Hindi at the 100-year-old Udhagamandalam railway station are hurting the sentiments of the Tamil people. I request the relevant authorities to immediately remove them. Tamil Nadu will never accept the imposition of Hindi.' He has also written to the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw urging him 'to respect the linguistic sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and avoid compulsory inclusion of Hindi where it is not contextually necessary.' When contacted, M. Vasudevan, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Salem Division of Southern Railways said the posters have been removed. 'There is no ulterior motive for the posters being put up, and they have been there for more that four or five years. We are checking how they were put up at the railway station,' said Mr. Vasudevan, who added there were other posters too, including those of quotes by poet Rabindranath Tagore. 'There are two posters which were brought to our notice, and as we do not want to court any controversies, they were removed immediately,' said Mr. Vasudevan.
