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Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tatkal tickets easier to book after Aadhaar linkage
Thiruvananthapuram: People are now able to book tatkal tickets more easily on the Thiruvananthapuram to Calicut/Kannur route after the railways made it mandatory to link Aadhaar to IRCTC accounts. Seats were available in five trains in AC class for more than 15 minutes after booking opened on Friday morning for travel on Saturday. Tatkal tickets used to sell out in a few minutes for travel on weekends. There were 32 berths available on TVC-Mangalore train, 50 berths in Maveli Express, three berths in Malabar Express, 170 seats on Kasargod Vande Bharat and three berths in Netravati Express. This is surprising because it was nearly impossible to buy tatkal tickets on the route before Aadhaar linkage came into force on July 1. "After attaching my account with Aadhaar, I could book a tatkal ticket. This was not possible before because it used to get sold out soon," said J Aswathy, a frequent traveller. The requirement to attach Aadhaar to IRCTC accounts has weeded out many duplicate accounts. Krishna Kumar S of the Thrissur Rail Passengers Association said, "The introduction of dynamic charts that allow people to book current tickets 15 minutes in advance at all stations for Vande Bharat trains, in addition to streamlining the IRCTC accounts, would make it easier for people to travel by popular trains." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo He said, "If successful, the current booking system should be extended to other trains too. This means more people will be able to travel by trains, thereby increasing the revenue for railways." However, people have been facing difficulty in attaching Aadhaar. "I could do that only via another site that's linked to the IRCTC site," said Aswathy. The railways are streamlining the ticket booking and are working to set the online reservation system right by looking at the success of the Aadhaar linkage.
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Hans India
Rail users in Mangaluru seek swift action on long-pending demands
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Railway Passengers' Committee has urged the Southern Railway's Palakkad Division and the Railway Board to expedite action on a series of service and infrastructure-related demands concerning Mangaluru Central Railway Station. Responding to the committee's representation, the Palakkad Division confirmed that Mangaluru Central already has operational facilities for the maintenance of modern LHB coaches. However, it cited infrastructural limitations in addressing the wide gap between platforms and tracks, noting that yard remodelling would be required for any permanent solution. The Committee also pushed for prioritising the recruitment of local staff conversant in Kannada and Tulu for IRCTC stalls at the station. While officials noted that such contracts are awarded through a centralised tendering process, they assured that contractors would be advised to give preference to local-language speakers where possible. Development works at both Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction are currently underway. The committee's request for establishing an IRCTC lounge at Mangaluru Central has been forwarded to relevant authorities. On the issue of upgrading key trains like the West Coast Express, Maveli Express, Malabar Express, and Mangaluru–Chennai Mail to LHB coaches, the division clarified that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Railway Board and would be presented for consideration. Given the intensity of the ongoing monsoon in coastal Karnataka, the committee emphasised the need to expedite the extension of platform shelters. Officials responded that shelter extensions would be undertaken based on necessity. Meanwhile, the proposed Mangaluru–Rameswaram train service has received Railway Board approval and is now awaiting final operational orders from the Southern Railway's headquarters. Another key proposal, the resumption of the Navajeevan Express via the Hassan–Miraj–Pune route, is still pending with the Railway Board. The Southern Railway has been urged to take this forward at the earliest. The request for additional coaches on the Mangaluru Central–Subrahmanya Road passenger train has been acknowledged and will be reviewed based on passenger footfall. Expressing thanks for the official responses, the committee reiterated its demand for time-bound action on these proposals, stressing their importance for enhancing passenger experience and safety in one of Karnataka's busiest coastal rail corridors.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Hero who averted a rail disaster forgotten over time
KOLLAM: In the 1964 Tamil film Pachhai Vilakku, legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan halts a speeding train with nothing but a shirt a cinematic moment etched forever in popular memory. Nearly four decades later, in 2001, a similar real-life drama unfolded near Perumon bridge, in Kollam, where in 1988 a tragic train accident had shocked the entire country. That day, Vimal Bose affectionately called 'Cake' spotted a fault on the tracks just as Malabar Express was about to pass. Without hesitation, he grabbed a red banner and ran onto the tracks, waving frantically to stop the speeding train. His act prevented what could have been a devastating derailment, saving hundreds of lives. Yet, despite being hailed a hero, Vimal's life since that fateful morning has been marked by unfulfilled promises and bitter disappointment. Now 50, he is still awaiting the government job that officials had assured him—a promise backed by endorsements from Kollam MP N K Premachandran and former MLA Rajendran. Even the Kerala High Court, in 2008, instructed the Railways to prioritise his case. But more than two decades later, recognition and justice still remain elusive. Reflecting on that day, Vimal recounts, 'It was early November 2001 and I was out to fetch water for my bakery. I noticed that the railway bolts and plates had come loose. Soon, I saw the train approaching the damaged track. I grabbed a red banner from my shop and ran to stop it. Thankfully, the train stopped safely. Railway officials arrived, repaired the track, and service resumed. Despite the job recommendation by Premachandran and Rajendran, and the HC order, over 23 years have passed, and I have neither a job nor recognition. I only did what anyone would have done. If faced with the same danger again, I would act without hesitation.'
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- The Hindu
Extra coaches added to key express trains to ease summer rush
In a bid to ease the summer travel rush, the Palakkad Division of the Southern Railway has announced the allocation of additional sleeper coaches to popular long distance trains, including Maveli Express, Malabar Express and Amritha Express. On Friday, the Thiruvananthapuram Central -Mangaluru Central Maveli Express (16604) will be equipped with an additional sleeper coach. The Malabr Express services are also set to see improvements. Train 16629, the Thiruvananthapuram Central- Mangaluru Central Malabar Express, will have an extra sleeper coach on Friday. Similarly, the Amrita Express connecting Thiruvananthapuram Central and Madurai Junction will see added capacity. Train 16344, running from Madurai to Thiruvananthapuram, will be provided with extra coaches on Friday. The Southern Railway stated that these measures are aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and ensuring a smooth travel experience during the summer peak season.
