Vande Bharat Train Delays Cause Major Disruption for Vishu Holiday Travelers
The premium Vande Bharat train service operating between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru experienced a significant delay of one hour on Monday, causing considerable inconvenience to passengers who pay higher fares for its promised punctuality and convenience. This incident is part of a pattern of recurring delays that have plagued the service for many days, raising concerns among regular commuters and holiday travelers alike.
Chaos at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station
Several passengers traveling home for the Vishu holidays were severely impacted as they waited on Platform 1 at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station for nearly an hour. The platform became overcrowded with people and luggage, creating a chaotic environment that also inconvenienced other passengers trying to board evening passenger services heading north. The train, which arrived from Mangaluru around 5 pm, prompted railway officials to make urgent announcements urging waiting passengers to allow those disembarking to exit first before boarding.
Due to the late arrival, passengers boarded coaches that had not been properly cleaned, and the train departed shortly after water and food were loaded at 5:19 pm, well past its scheduled departure time of 4:05 pm. This delayed departure had a ripple effect, particularly affecting travelers destined for key stations such as Kollam, Kozhikode, and Kannur, where the train arrived with an hour's delay, forcing many to reach their destinations late at night.
Passenger Frustration and Broader Impacts
P Shilpa, a resident of Kozhikode, expressed her frustration, noting that the train seems to be delayed quite frequently. "It should have reached Tirur at 9:02 pm but arrived at 10:45 pm, resulting in a delay of almost two hours to Kozhikode. People spend a premium to travel by this train because it is supposed to be punctual and convenient. There is no point if the train is going to be consistently delayed," she added.
The delayed running of the Vande Bharat train is also adversely affecting other train services along the route. Priority given to this premium service often causes other trains to be held up en route. Liyons J of Friends on Rails highlighted that the train's route via Alappuzha is particularly problematic, where crossings frequently delay trains. Trains operating via the Alappuzha coastal route, including the Nizamuddin Express, are often held up at stations because the line has not yet been doubled, exacerbating delays across the network.
"The delay in Vande Bharat will impact other trains. It is a premium train that should be operated punctually to maintain schedule integrity," Liyons J emphasized. In a related incident, the Vande Bharat train that departed from Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday faced further delays, with five minutes at Kollam and ten minutes at Ernakulam, indicating ongoing operational challenges.
Call for Improved Railway Management
This series of delays underscores the need for better management and infrastructure improvements, especially on routes like Alappuzha where single-line operations cause bottlenecks. Passengers relying on the Vande Bharat for its premium features are left questioning the value of their investment, while the broader railway network suffers from cascading delays. Authorities must address these issues promptly to restore confidence in this high-profile service and ensure smoother travel experiences during peak holiday seasons like Vishu.
