---
title: "MP Raises Concern Over Onam Train Shortage for Malabar Region"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/mp-demands-more-onam-trains-for-malabar-qq7hr
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-12T16:30:26.894Z
modified: 2026-08-12T19:45:06.434Z
language: en-IN
---

# MP Raises Concern Over Onam Train Shortage for Malabar Region

Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan met with the Union Railway Minister to protest the perceived discrimination against north Kerala in Onam special train allocations. He requested more services and sleeper carriages for the Malabar region.

## Key takeaways

- A Member of Parliament raised concerns about insufficient Onam special train services for the Malabar region.
- The MP stated that the majority of special train services are allocated to south Kerala, leaving the Malabar region underserved.
- Requests were made for additional trains and more sleeper carriages to accommodate passengers traveling home for the festival.
- The Union Railway Minister assured that the matter would receive prompt attention.

Kozhikode Member of Parliament M.K. Raghavan met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in New Delhi. The meeting addressed a significant lack of special train services for the Malabar region, which the MP described as discriminatory against Keralite passengers traveling for Onam.

## What Happened

Mr. Raghavan highlighted a regional disparity in special train services announced by Southern Railway for the Onam festival. He stated that over 80% of these services were allocated to south Kerala, with minimal services designated for the Malabar region. This area is populated by many expats, IT professionals, and students who rely on these services for their return journeys.

Specifically, the MP pointed out that a single special train from Chennai to Mangaluru on Uthradam day, equipped with only six sleeper carriages and ten AC carriages, is insufficient to manage the expected passenger volume. He noted that the high fares of AC travel make it unaffordable for ordinary passengers.

## Key Facts

- Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan met Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in New Delhi.

- The MP raised concerns about a shortage of special trains for the Malabar region for Onam.

- He stated that over 80% of announced special services by Southern Railway are focused on south Kerala.

- A special train from Chennai to Mangaluru on Uthradam has six sleeper carriages and ten AC carriages.

- The MP requested additional special trains from Chennai and Bengaluru to Mangaluru via Kozhikode.

- He also urged for an increase in sleeper carriages on the Chennai-Mangaluru special train.

- The MP sought immediate steps to attach extra carriages to regular trains serving north Kerala between August 14 and September 6.

- The Railway Minister assured that prompt action would be taken.

## Background

The MP sought additional special train services from Chennai and Bengaluru to Mangaluru, passing through Kozhikode, to meet festive demand. He also requested an increase in the number of sleeper carriages on the existing Chennai-Mangaluru special train. Furthermore, Mr. Raghavan urged the Ministry to attach extra carriages to regular trains operating through north Kerala during the peak travel period, scheduled from August 14 to September 6.

---
Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/mp-demands-more-onam-trains-for-malabar-qq7hr
Reported from: Multiple Sources