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Janakeeya Yatra: Congress apologises for chaos after KMRL seeks report

  • Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala apologised for the inconvenience caused to the public during Congress' Janakeeya Yatra
  • The protest turned out to be a nightmare for the general public as hundreds of Congress activists thronged the metro stations
  • The CPM in a letter asked KMRL authorities to take action against Congress leaders including, Oommen Chandy and Chennithala
  • KMRL managing director Elias George has sought a report from officials in charge of the Aluva and Palarivattom metro stations
kochi metro Janakeeya Yatra Chennithala apology chaos KMRL report

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday apologised for the inconvenience caused to the public during the Janakeeya Yatra organised by the Congress in the Kochi Metro on Tuesday, after the KMRL sought report from station authorities on alleged violation of rules.

The Aluva-Palarivattom metro yatra, under the leadership of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, was organised by the UDF on Tuesday afternoon to mark their protest against the government for not including Congress leaders in Kochi Metro's inaugural function on Saturday.

Also read: Oommen Chandy's great metro ride derailed by his own supporters

"We didn't know that it would cause inconvenience to the public or cause property damage. The party workers were venting their emotions. I received several complaints, including from the KMRL. I tender my unconditional apology over any inconvenience caused,” Chennithala said.

Meanwhile, the CPM in a letter has asked KMRL authorities to take action against Congress leaders including, Chandy and Chennithala, for organising protest in the Kochi Metro, flouting all norms.

KMRL managing director Elias George had on Wednesday sought a report from officials in charge of the Aluva and Palarivattom metro stations over the Janakeeya Yatra. The move comes after it was found that the event violated rules and regulations at the stations. 

The report has to be submitted within three days after conducting inquiries and examining CCTV footage from the stations. Action will be taken against the organisers of the protest based on the report.

Also read: 7 things to know before you take a ride on Kochi Metro

Janakeeya Yatra turned out to be a nightmare for the general public as hundreds of slogan-shouting Congress activists thronged the stations. Commuters, at the Aluva station where protesters boarded the train and the Palarivatom station where they alighted, had to go through great trouble. Such was the rush at Aluva station that Chandy himself missed the first train even after being on the platform.

Due to the chaos the automatic fare collection system at both Aluva and Palarivattom stations had to be stopped at the time. The events are seen as serious violation of rules of the Kochi Metro.

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