Excreta in compartment: Intercity halted

KOZHIKODE: The Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity Express train was halted for around 45 minutes at the Kozhikode Railway Station at 4.30 pm, when the lady passengers pulled the emergency chain complaining of stink and the presence of urine and excreta in their compartment.An eye witness who preferred anonymity said, a lady passenger in the AC compartment who noted the urine and excreta in the compartment complained to the TTE about the presence of the same. Other lady passengers also urged the TTE get the compartment cleaned. The TTE had agreed to make arrangements to remove the excreta from the compartment when the train reached the Kozhikode Railway Station. But the lady passengers got irritated as the compartment was not cleaned and pulled the chain when the train started off from the station.The pulling of emergency chain resulted in altercation between the passengers and the Railway officials. The train commenced its journey after removing the filth from the compartment. Meanwhile, Railway spokesperson said the train was halted only for 10 minutes and not 45 minutes. He said the railway staff also cleaned the compartment.Concern over filthy toilets in trainsKochi: The All Kerala Railway Passengers Association on Friday expressed concern over the passengers being deprived of basic facilities by the Railways like clean toilets and compartments.Reacting to the incident where passengers of KannurErnakulam Inter City Express pulled the chain demanding cleaned toilet in the compartment on Friday, association general secretary Mathew Paul said that it was unfortunate that despite the passengers' request the Railways failed to clean it to the satisfaction of the passengers.