Ekm-Thrissur Memu service yet to take off

KOCHI: The mainline electrical multiple units (Memu) service on Ernakulam-Thrissur route, announced following much demand, is yet to take off. Railways attributes the delay to shortage of rakes required for operating the eight-car (coaches) Memu service. The service, originally scheduled to run by September last year, is expected to benefit around 5,000 daily commuters on the route. "Though the service was included in the railway timetable published in July, the service is yet to commence. The service should also be extended to Palakkad. There are over 3,000 season ticket holders travelling daily from Thrissur alone," Thrissur Rail Passengers Association general secretary P Krishnakumar said. All-Kerala Railway Users' Association president Paul Manvettom said, "The railways had stated that the service would be launched during Onam last year but nothing has happened so far." Sources said two rakes meant for Ernakulam-Thrissur and Kollam-Nagercoil Memu had arrived at the Southern Railway headquarters in Chennai. However, a senior railways official here said there was no need for any infrastructure upgrades for operating Memu services. "The infrastructure required for operating Memu services is electrified lines and we already have it. We have not received any information about rakes from the headquarters. We can launch the service once the rake arrives," he said. Railway sources said the division's rake maintenance facility in Kollam is awaiting commissioning. "The maintenance of the rake of Ernakulam-Kollam Memu service is now being done at our Palakkad facility. Once our Kollam facility is ready, we don't have any other issues in operating Memu services," the official said. (Times of India dt 16.11.2012)