The Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train is consistently running 1-2 hours late, causing major inconvenience for passengers, especially those who rely on it for work, studies, and business. The delayed arrival of this train disrupts connections with buses and auto-rickshaws, leading to delays in reaching their destinations. The issue is compounded by...
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the introduction of the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express, which often necessitates holding the Executive Express at various stations to allow the Vande Bharat to pass. This further delays the arrival of the Executive Express, impacting passengers who rely on it for connecting journeys. The article also highlights the irregularity of buses from KSRTC and Swift services, further adding to the plight of passengers. The author urges the railway authorities to reschedule the Executive Express, increase connection buses, or extend the train's route to Kasaragod or Mangalore to provide better connectivity and ease the suffering of passengers.

The Konkan Rail Corporation, responsible for the railway line along the Konkan coast, is allegedly charging passengers an inflated fare. Despite the actual distance of 741 km from Mangalore Thokur to Roha, passengers are charged for a distance of 1034 km, resulting in an extra Rs. 120 for sleeper class and...
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Rs. 300 for AC tickets. This extra charge is levied despite the corporation being in profit for the past four years. The corporation was formed with shares held by the Railways and various states, and funds were raised through tax-exempt bonds. The government has authorized the corporation to charge additional fares to recover the cost of the Konkan project, which is still ongoing. The Netravati Express (16346) from Mangalore Junction to Roha, for example, charges for a distance of 1050 km, whereas the actual distance is 741 km. This results in higher fares for passengers, with the sleeper class ticket costing Rs. 495 for a journey of 1050 km, while the actual fare for 741 km is Rs. 400. The corporation primarily generates revenue from passenger carriages and ro-ro freight services.

Southern Railway announced that nine trains running through Kerala will be diverted due to maintenance works on the Thiruvananthapuram division. These diversions are part of the Railways' mandated fixed time corridor blocks for maintenance. While some stoppages will be skipped, additional stops are being added for passenger convenience. The diversions will...
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be effective on specific dates, with trains 16348, 16344, and 16350 being diverted on January 22nd, train 16345 and 16346 diverted from January 4th to 13th, train 20909 diverted on January 7th, train 20923 diverted on January 11th, train 19577 diverted on January 8th and 9th, and train 20931 diverted on January 5th and 12th. Specific details of skipped and added stoppages are provided for each train.

In Palakkad Division of Indian Railways, alarm chain pulling incidents have become a major concern, causing significant delays and impacting the efficiency of the network. From January to October 2023, 614 cases were reported, with only 168 being genuine emergencies. The remaining 446 false alarms resulted in a combined delay of...
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11 hours and 48 minutes. General coaches are the most affected, with 406 incidents occurring in these compartments. The Palakkad Junction–Shoranur Junction, Podanur Junction–Palakkad Junction, and Kannur–Kasaragod sections have witnessed the most chain-pulling incidents, particularly during peak hours between 6 pm and 10 pm. Authorities are working to educate passengers on the proper use of alarm chains and enforce the Railways Act 1989, which penalizes non-genuine chain pulling with imprisonment up to one year or a fine of Rs 1,000, or both.

Due to maintenance work in Thiruvananthapuram Division in January 2024, several train services have been diverted. Trains 16348, 16344, and 16350 will be diverted via Alappuzha on January 22nd, skipping certain stations and adding stops at Cherthala and Alappuzha. Trains 16345 and 16346, operating between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Thiruvananthapuram Central...
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on various dates in January, will be diverted via Kottayam, skipping certain stations and adding stops at Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Changanassery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, and Mavelikara. Trains 20909, 20923, 19577, and 20931 will be diverted via Kottayam on specific dates in January, skipping certain stations and adding stops at Kottayam and Ernakulam Town.