The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Passengers’ associations welcome rail budget

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Passengers’ associations welcome rail budget

Staff Reporter

Proposal to extend Jan Shatabdi resented; more trains hailed; mixed reaction to commercial complexes

KOCHI: Train passengers’ associations have generally welcomed Friday’s Union Railway budget, despite reservations about the undue delay in completing rail-doubling works in the State.

Many expressed scepticism at the proposal to extend the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam Jan Shatabdi Express to Kozhikode, for fear that people from Ernakulam and southern districts might in the long run find it difficult to get seats in the train. The proposals to have a biweekly Ernakulam-New Delhi non-stop express train and the new Ernakulam-Goa train have been welcomed. The new Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore train would help office-goers and short-distance passengers. The Kochuveli-Bangalore train would bring some respite to Keralites, who have to shell out almost double the train fare and cram themselves into luxury-buses to reach the city now.

A senior Railway official said that with rail-doubling works getting delayed, the focus in the coming months would be on how to run the eight new trains (many of which are weekly and biweekly) through the existing congested lines. Many of the sectors already have over 130 per cent line-utilisation. Even the 18-km-long Ernakulam-Mulanthuruthy line is yet to be thrown open to traffic, despite doubling work getting over.

While Rs. 16 crore would be set apart for doubling works between Mulanthuruthy and Kurupanthara, the works from Kurupanthara up to Chingavanam gets Rs. 15 crore. The budget speaks of the possibility of establishing a new rail route connecting Kochi with Madurai, being studied.

The proposal to raise the Ernakulam Junction railway station to international standards has been welcomed. But there is also no mention of developing the eastern entries to the Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations and about the long-pending overbridge projects proposed at the level crossings in Atlantis, Ponnurunni and Pachalam.

There is no mention either of the long-delayed introduction of Mainline Electrical Multiple Units that would have connected Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode with nearby districts, thereby decongesting the highways. The Action Council for Railway Development in Kerala has warned of an agitation since the budget does not mention anything of establishing a railway zone for the State. “The number of coaches in passenger trains must be increased to 23, to prevent overcrowding. The proposal to open nursing schools, and the multi-functional commercial complexes proposed at Ernakulam and Palakkad show the steps under way to make the Railways a more commercial organization. Instead, the focus must be on adding more trains and passenger amenities,” said Mathew Paul, the council’s general convener.

There is urgent need for a daily train connecting Ernakulam with Bangalore, said the All Kerala Railway Users’ Association. “We welcome the steps taken to ensure passenger safety and the proposal for a rail link between Kochi and Madurai.

This would considerably benefit people from Muvattupuzha and different places in Idukki to reach Kochi faster. Multi-tier parking lots must be established in stations, since this would augment the income of the Railways,” said the Association president Paul K. J. Manvettom.

Move on tatkal lauded

Kerala Merchants Union has welcomed the railway budget. In a statement, the union said that though several new trains were introduced, some of the projects suggested by the earlier Railway Minister has been discarded. The new Ernakulam-New Delhi high speed train will be boon to the trade community. The Ernakulam-Goa train will help boost tourism. The reduction in Tatkal charges and the facility to reserve railway tickets through post offices were laudable, the statement said.

‘Pro-passenger’

The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the ‘pro-passenger’ proposals in the Railway budget, but condemned the denial of Railway zone for the State and the delay in beginning suburban-rail services and Mainline Electrical Multiple Units that would connect important cities with neighbouring districts.

The Chamber chairman K. M. Abdullah said that after many years, Kerala has got her due share of trains and projects. Measures have to be taken to begin the coach factory that was mentioned in the previous budget.

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for striking a balance between the social commitment of Indian Railways and the economic viability of its projects. “The budget’s focus on better passenger amenities, good food at affordable rates, clean toilets in trains, stations etc., are welcome. The proposals to have physically-challenged-friendly coaches, escalators etc., and cold storage units for farmers, are welcome,” said Satish Murti, president.

‘Not disappointing’

Reacting to the Union railway budget, Mr. A.N. Prabhu, president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry said the Railway Minister has not disappointed Kerala, but has not fully satisfied the State’s needs. The proposals to upgrade Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam Stations to international standards as well as to set up multi-functional complexes at Ernakulam and Palakkad stations are welcome.

The proposals relating to creation of cold storages and providing premium service for container movement with assured transit time for time sensitive cargo are beneficial to the agriculture, industry and trade sectors.

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