The extension of the Kollam–Kottayam MEMU train to Ernakulam has triggered protests after Mulanthuruthy railway station was left without a stop, even as the service halts at Kanjiramattom, which has fewer annual passengers. Commuters are demanding stops at Mulanthuruthy and other major stations on the route.
According to Malayala Manorama, passengers have pointed out that Mulanthuruthy is one of the busiest stations on the Ernakulam–Kottayam section. The station is used by around 2 lakh passengers a year, while Kanjiramattom records approximately 60,000 passengers annually.
Passengers also noted that important services, including the Palaruvi and Nilambur–Kottayam Express trains, already stop at Mulanthuruthy. They have described the decision to exclude the station from the extended MEMU service while providing a stop at Kanjiramattom as unfair.
The extended service is expected to improve rail connectivity towards Ernakulam for passengers along the Kollam–Kottayam corridor. However, the absence of a stop at Mulanthuruthy limits access for commuters who depend on the station despite its comparatively higher annual usage.
Francis George, Member of Parliament, has submitted a memorandum to the Union Railway Minister seeking stops for the MEMU at Mulanthuruthy, Kaduthuruthy and Kumarannalloor. The memorandum follows the protests by passengers over the current stopping pattern.
The report did not specify whether the Railway Ministry or railway authorities have responded to the memorandum. The next decision on the requested stops will determine whether the extended service pattern is revised for these stations.
