Our views on transportation

(Mathrubhumi Nagaram dt 18-12-2012)

Direct train between Ekm & Nilambur

New Train Will Be Launched By Clubbing 2 Existing Passenger Services Malappuram: The railways is planning to introduce a new direct train between Ernakulam and Nilambur by clubbing the Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger train and the Shoranur-Nilambur passenger train. At the Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee meeting held at Shoranur recently, the divisional railway authorities have decided to recommend a new train to the Southern Railway authorities. The details of the new train is likely to be included in the revised time table to be announced by the Southern Railway soon. There is a long pending demand for a second train from Nilambur to southern districts of the state, after the launching of Rajyarani Express connecting Thiruvananthapuram and Nilambur. At present the Shoranur-Nilambur passenger train leaves Shoranur at 12pm and reaches Nilambur at 1.50pm. The train starts its return journey from Nilambur at 2.30pm and reaches Shoranur at 4.15pm. After this the same train runs as Shoranur-Ernakulam passenger. The passenger train leaves Shoranur at 5pm and reaches Ernakulam at 8pm. The return journey starts at 7.30am the next day and reaches Shoranur at 11am. Now the Palakkad divisional authority has recommended running the passenger train as a direct train from Ernakulam to Nilambur, without halting at Shoranur. At present the passengers are not getting the benefit of the direct train as the train halts at Shoranur for daily maintenance works. The recommendation put forth is to carry out maintenance work of the train at Ernakulam. Slots are available at the maintenance shed there, as special sheds were opened recently at Palakkad and Kollam for the MEMU trains. (TP Nijish, Times of India dt 11-12-2012)

Reservation facility extended at Punkunnam

(Mathrubhumi dt 10-12-2012)

Non availability of land for doubling

(The Hindu dt 10-12-2012)

State yet to plan rly budget proposals

Thiruvananthapuram: The failure to prepare proposals in advance, prioritize the needs of the state and effectively lobby for the cause will cost Kerala this time too in the upcoming railway budget. Though the state government has assured passengers of more trains, it has not even started the ground work to submit proposals to the rail ministry. “While other states are busy preparing proposals, Kerala has not even convened a meeting to discuss its rail needs. Lobbying wins more trains, infrastructure facilities and it seems that the state and its MPs are not interested. Authorities keep on promising more trains though track utilization is over 100%. What we need is additional tracks and automatic signalling systems; only then can new trains be introduced. Nobody speaks up for us,” said former Union minister of state for railways O Rajagopal. Thrissur Railway Passengers’ Association general secretary P Krishnakumar said the government should focus more on passenger and infrastructure facilities than division bifurcation and coach factories. “A proper survey must be carried out to ascertain passengers’ needs before approaching the ministry. Rail traffic and passengers inflow are increasing. The only way to address the issue is more MEMU services,” he said. A senior officer of Trivandrum division said a meeting will be convened next week to discuss budget proposals. “Unless the state lobbies effectively, we won’t get what we need,” he said. Meanwhile, Rajagopal said: “If the state maintains constant interaction with the railways, most issues can be solved. In Kerala, railway budget preparation is an annual exercise and it is discussed only when the budget document is ready for printing,” he said. (Shyam PV, Times of India dt 7-12-2012)