KOCHI: Lack of water on trains, especially during the Sabarimala season, is creating trouble for long-distance passengers. Though many stations have water-filling facility, most remain unused. According to passengers travelling on trains like the Bangalore-Kanyakumari Express and the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Express, shortage of water is a common plight aggravated during the Sabarimala season.“Travelling on trains during Sabarimala season is a big challenge. Last week, I noticed that the toilets had become filthy as there was no water,” said Thresiamma Mathew, a regular passenger from Shoranur.The railway staff attributed this to the lack of water-filling stations. “It is true that there is no need for water pipes at all stations, but the authorities have to make sure that the existing stations that have the facilities should be properly utilised,” said a railway staff. At Aluva, a water pipe has been provided on the third platform, but hardly any of the trains refill from there. Besides, the stoppage at the Aluva station is only three minutes. In Kottayam, there are facilities for filling but no staff have been deputed for the job. The major stations having water-filling facilities are Shoranur and Palakkad. But the facility is not made use of efficiently in these stations either. Guards who travel on these trains said: “The contractors are doing their job, but the railways should provide at least five minutes stoppage for trains during the Sabarimala season.
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