The Railways has permanently increased the number of coaches in the Palakkad Junction–Ernakulam Junction Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) service, raising the formation from eight to 12 coaches with effect from February 23. The change applies to train numbers 66609/66610 and is intended to ease congestion on one of Kerala's busiest short-distance routes. The augmentation will raise the train's seating capacity from 600 to 900 seats. The Southern Railway has also approved permanent augmentation of the Kollam–Ernakulam MEMU (train numbers 06169/06170) and the Kollam–Kottayam MEMU (train numbers 66316/66315) to 12 coaches from the same date. The decision follows sustained pressure and joint recommendations from political representatives, railway passengers associations and officers of the Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram divisions. The addition of four more coaches is expected to ease overcrowding considerably during peak hours. The Palakkad–Ernakulam MEMU forms a crucial daily commuter link connecting towns and employment hubs including Ottapalam, Shoranur, Thrissur, Aluva and Ernakulam. The service previously had a seating capacity of around 600 passengers but has been witnessing severe overcrowding, with more than 3,000 passengers using it daily. Railway passenger organisations had staged protests and submitted multiple representations demanding additional coaches, and public representatives including MPs had written to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) seeking permanent augmentation. Authorities approved the augmentation after reviewing passenger load data and stakeholder representations. Passenger groups welcomed the permanent increase and reiterated demands to raise the rake length of MEMU and passenger trains to 16 coaches and to operate services on all days. Railway officials indicated that the present augmentation forms part of ongoing measures to improve commuter facilities and may be followed by further capacity reviews. The revised formations and schedules will be implemented from February 23 and commuters have been advised to check official notices for operational details.