Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Harrowing time for commuters

Thiruvananthapuram: The six-hour long flash strike by a section of loco pilots in Thiruvananthapuram railway division on Saturday was a bolt from the blue for long distance commuters, especially Ayyappa pilgrims from neighbouring States and foreign tourists.

The strike, which took the commuters and the railway authorities by surprise, threw train services out of gear in the State. Unruly scenes were witnessed in platforms, booking offices, information centres and offices of the station masters as many commuters came to known of the stir only after reaching the station.

In Thiruvananthapuram Central, the passengers came to know of the strike only after they boarded the 2624 Chennai Super Fast Express that was scheduled to depart on 2.30 p.m.

“Initially, it was announced that the train will be delayed. Later, they announced that the delay was due to strike by loco pilots,” Bindu T., an employee of State Bank of Travancore said.

“We tried to reserve seats in KSRTC and private buses immediately, but all were taken. We waited in the train from 2 p.m. hoping that the strike will end,” she added.

Many were forced to remain in the rakes that were parked in the stations as all available seats in the platforms and waiting halls were taken by stranded passengers. Commuters were also seen sitting in the platform and staircases with luggage.

Ayyappa pilgrims who were returning from Sabarimala were the worst hit. “We learned about the strike after reaching here. We are a group of 15 from Marsapuram in Andhra Pradesh. We have no other option but to wait for the strike to end,” A.V. Chandrasekhar, an employee of the State Bank of India, said.

Foreign tourists were seen enquiring with the information centre when the strike will end. Chaotic scenes were witnessed in the adjacent Central station of the KSRTC to various places in the State.

The railway authorities had to intervene to ensure lights and water in the rakes in the station.

The Government Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force personnel were pressed into service as authorities feared protest from commuters.

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