A fresh decision by the Railways to extend short-distance trains arriving in Kannur in Kerala towards Palakkad instead of Kasaragod has sparked widespread protests across north Malabar, with rail users saying long-pending passenger demands are being ignored.
The Shoranur-Kannur Special ToD Express, a key service that passengers have been requesting to be extended north to Kasaragod or Manjeswaram, has instead been diverted eastward to Palakkad. The service, which began on July 2 as an ‘On Demand Special train’, will run to Palakkad daily except Saturdays when it will terminate at Shoranur.
An association of passengers says this is a setback for commuters in the northernmost parts of Kerala, especially as nearly nine short-distance trains from the south continue to terminate at Kannur, cutting off convenient evening connections to Kasaragod.
“Currently, no direct daily trains are available from Kozhikode to Kasaragod after 5.10 p.m., forcing passengers to wait till 1.10 a.m. for the next option,” said Nisar Peruvad, coordinator of the Kasaragod Rail Passengers Association.
“The order ignores the realities of Kasaragod’s travel woes,” said Mr. Peruvad.
