Daily passengers travelling on the busy Paradip-Cuttack rail corridor have raised serious concerns over recurring delays of MEMU passenger trains, urging immediate intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
According to reports, the Paradip-Cuttack MEMU Passenger Train Commuters’ Group submitted a formal representation on Wednesday, highlighting the persistent disruption caused by delayed train operations on the route. The commuters specifically pointed to the repeated detention of Paradip-Cuttack MEMU (68402) at Kandarpur station and the chronic late running of Bhadrak-Cuttack MEMU (68437) and Cuttack-Paradip MEMU (68401).
Daily Passengers Facing Severe Inconvenience
Commuters stated that hundreds of office employees, students, traders, patients and rural passengers depend on these MEMU services every day for affordable and timely transportation. However, the continuous delays have reportedly created major hardships for passengers across the corridor.
Several passengers claimed that they are regularly reaching workplaces late, leading to salary deductions and attendance issues. Students are also said to be missing examinations and classes due to unpredictable train schedules, while traders and small business owners are facing disruption in their daily operations.
Passengers further alleged that the delays have become a routine issue despite repeated complaints to railway authorities over the past several months.
Concerns Over Connectivity And Passenger Safety
The commuters’ group also expressed concern over the impact on passengers travelling to board long-distance trains from Cuttack. Elderly passengers and patients travelling for medical treatment are reportedly among the worst affected.
According to the representation, the lack of punctuality and operational coordination is creating uncertainty and inconvenience for thousands of daily commuters. Passengers have also raised broader concerns related to railway management, congestion and safety issues on the route.
East Coast Railway Cites Congestion At Cuttack
Sources within East Coast Railway reportedly attributed the delays primarily to infrastructure constraints and increasing rail traffic pressure at Cuttack station.
Railway officials indicated that the absence of third and fourth railway lines near Cuttack has significantly impacted train movement and scheduling efficiency on the corridor. Authorities also informed that station and yard remodelling work at Cuttack is currently underway to improve operational capacity and ease congestion in the future.
However, commuters argue that immediate temporary measures are necessary to reduce passenger inconvenience until the infrastructure expansion is completed.
Demand For Immediate Corrective Measures
The commuters’ association has urged railway authorities to ensure better monitoring of train operations, improve punctuality and introduce effective scheduling mechanisms to avoid unnecessary detentions and late running of MEMU trains.
Passengers are now awaiting a response from the Railway Ministry and East Coast Railway authorities, hoping for swift action to restore reliable train services on the crucial Paradip-Cuttack route.
