Image credit : Illustrative Image

Kochi: Pilgrims visiting the hill shrine of Sabarimala are in for hard times as train services are in disarray in Kerala in the name of maintenance.

However, the delay is experienced only in this part of the country giving more credence to the allegations that the railway staff are on go slow mode miffed over against centre’s policies.
With only a few days left for the pilgrimage season to begin, top Railway authorities need to keep a close vigil on the issue.

Chennai super fast, Hyderabad Sabari express, Island Express from Bengaluru and many more trains are mainly depended by the pilgrims besides special trains sharing the burden.
Unfortunately, the Southern Railway headquarters at Chennai has not chipped in to ensure operating services on time.

The Railways since British rule had tough norms to discipline the staff which include dismissal.

A railway official in the DRM Office in Thiruvananthapuram told the Covaipost that the delay is due to work taken up at the direction of the Railway Board under constant monitoring of Southern Railway, Chennai.

Ultrasonic Flaw Detection units are used to find crack on the track which is not visible by naked eye.

If things are not dealt at right time, there is all possibilities of pilgrims resorting to blocking of trains or turn violent as had happened in the past.