At a time when the government is set to push for getting maximum trains and projects for the state in Rail Budget 2014, the draft Kerala Perspective Plan, 2030 has pointed out the urgent need for scientific development of rail infrastructure in the state. The draft, prepared with technical assistance of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi, has pointed out that Kerala’s railway infrastructure is overworked, compared to other developed and developing countries or even a few states in the country.
For example, a country like The Netherlands has double the total rail line (3,016km) of Kerala (1,050km) but carries less freight and passenger traffic. Sadly, the density route length of Kerala has remained the same for over a decade at 27.02 per 1,000 sq km. In contrast, it went up from 36.55 in 2000-01 to 37.33 in 2008-09 for Bihar. The figures for these periods were 4.29 and 14.39 for Tripura, 41.92 and 43.83 for West Bengal, and 72.73 and a whopping 145.45 for Chandigarh.
The figures show that while the state focused on road connectivity, the authorities ignored railways, a much cheaper and faster freight-passenger movement option.
The NCAER has suggested that the rail network should include options like Metro, monorail and MEMU services for travel both within cities and within the state.
The state had 23,369 railway passengers per kilometre in 2011, and the figure is expected to touch 37,367 in 2020 and 62,949 in 2030. Unless the state has better railway network, the anticipated passenger and freight load would be transferred to the roads, according to the draft. Experts point out that improving rail network solely depends on the Centre’s financial support and unless the state government and MPs from the state join together, the dream of improving railway network will never be a reality.
(Times of India dt 25-11-2013)
For example, a country like The Netherlands has double the total rail line (3,016km) of Kerala (1,050km) but carries less freight and passenger traffic. Sadly, the density route length of Kerala has remained the same for over a decade at 27.02 per 1,000 sq km. In contrast, it went up from 36.55 in 2000-01 to 37.33 in 2008-09 for Bihar. The figures for these periods were 4.29 and 14.39 for Tripura, 41.92 and 43.83 for West Bengal, and 72.73 and a whopping 145.45 for Chandigarh.
The figures show that while the state focused on road connectivity, the authorities ignored railways, a much cheaper and faster freight-passenger movement option.
The NCAER has suggested that the rail network should include options like Metro, monorail and MEMU services for travel both within cities and within the state.
The state had 23,369 railway passengers per kilometre in 2011, and the figure is expected to touch 37,367 in 2020 and 62,949 in 2030. Unless the state has better railway network, the anticipated passenger and freight load would be transferred to the roads, according to the draft. Experts point out that improving rail network solely depends on the Centre’s financial support and unless the state government and MPs from the state join together, the dream of improving railway network will never be a reality.
(Times of India dt 25-11-2013)
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