Kozhikode: The Railways’ decision to stop short-distance trains to enable long-distance trains to run on time in Vande Bharat violates the travel rights of passengers, the Human Rights Commission has said.
Citing news reports about the hardships faced by thousands of passengers from Malabar, the rights commission registered the case. Acting committee chairman and judicial member K Baiju Nath directed the Palakkad railway division chief to submit a report within 15 days suggesting a solution to the problem.
Passengers who rely on trains to travel between Shoranur and Kannur every day have been facing severe delays for the past two months. In some cases, exhausted passengers fainted due to long delays.
Restructuring of train timings to facilitate smooth operation of Vande Bharat has caused problems. (Hyperlink to previous copy of the trip written by Deepa). The committee pointed out that the Parashuram Express, which reaches Kozhikode by 3.50 pm, leaves only by 5 pm. Express service delays have become a daily problem.
The Kannur-Calicut passenger train will be halted periodically at various stations to ensure punctuality of the Vande Bharat train, which departs from Kannur at 7.57 am.
Janasadavdi, Eranad Express and many other special trains will stop at various stations to allow Kasargod-bound Vande Bharat to pass unhindered.
Due to delays, Alappuzha-Kannur executives regularly reach Kozhikode late at night.
The committee pointed out that Alappuzha-bound Vande Bharat trains are running on time, while Thiruvananthapuram-bound Netravati Express stops at Kanhangad and Parashuram Express stops at Kozhikode.
