Unannounced midnight detention of train upsets pilgrims’ travel plans to Guruvayur
Passengers are facing significant travel disruptions due to unannounced midnight train detentions for maintenance work by the Indian Railways. Additionally, the introduction of new LHB coaches on Jan Shatabdi trains has drawn criticism for uncomfortable, non-reclining bench seating.
Why it matters
Reflects growing public frustration with infrastructure management and service quality in India's extensive rail network.
The Railways has been giving night passengers a harrowing experience in recent times by detaining trains for hours after midnight to carry out maintenance work. As a result, overnight train journeys are often delayed by three to four hours without any prior notice. According to passengers, Train No. 16127 Chennai–Guruvayur Express is the only daily overnight train to Central Kerala after the Mangalore Express (16347), which departs from Thiruvananthapuram Central at 8.55 p.m.
Further, the Guruvayur Express, which departs from Thiruvananthapuram Central at 12.25 a.m., is the primary mode of transport for pilgrims from southern Kerala travelling to the Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple for the early morning darshan. However, the train is frequently detained for several hours en route to facilitate track maintenance work without informing passengers in advance.
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