Kerala: People Cover Mouths With Black Cloth To Protest Against Delay In Trains Due To Vande Bharat. WATCH

Speaking on the matter, CPI-M MP A M Ariff said that the delay in trains is causing inconvenience to the passengers.

Passengers in Kerala’s Ernakulam launched a protest against Indian Railways, claiming that other trains are running late due to Vande Bharat Express trains, news agency ANI reported on Monday. As a symbol of protest, passengers covered their faces with black cloth.

Speaking on the matter, CPI-M MP A M Ariff said, "...It is causing inconvenience to the passengers... I have already submitted so many requests and complaints to the railway authorities... They are saying that they are verifying the complaint... Next time, I am going to meet the Minister and Railway Board Chairman... The main issue is that for running the Vande Bharat Express train, the time scheduled is changed."

The commuters also gathered at the station with a demand of changing the schedule of Vande Bharat trains. Earlier in October, passengers from different parts of the state raised similar complaints about the train services. According to ANI, they alleged that several passenger trains were halted at various points to ensure the smooth operation of Vande Bharat trains.

The complaint is that the two Vande Bharat trains, which run up and down every day six days a week, are given the right of way at the expense of short-distance trains and their thousands of daily commuters, mainly office-goers and students, ANI reported. The daily commuters are now holding protest claiming that the railways' practice of holding back multiple trains to let the high-profile and more expensive Vande Bharat.