Quadrupling tracks in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kayankulam and Ernakulam-Shoranur corridors; fast-tracking rail-doubling through Kottayam and Alappuzha; and establishing satellite terminals in suburbs hold the key to ushering in railway development in the State, Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu has said.
The densely populated corridors with 100 km length can be four-laned for around Rs.3,000 crore. A long-term perspective was required for this as urban and rural areas overlapped through the State Kerala, unlike in other States, he said. Mr. Prabhu was addressing a function organised here on Sunday to flag off the Angamaly-Ernakulam-Piravom diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU), the first such intra-district service in the State. The mainline-electric multiple unit (MEMU) train, to take over operations from Monday, would be substituted by a DEMU once the Harbour Terminus Station and the Old Railway Station (where electric traction was unavailable) were renovated.
Mr. Prabhu cited the need to establish satellite terminals in fast-expanding cities. Railways had been citing inadequate terminal space in cities such as Ernakulam and Thiruvanathapuram in reply to demand for more services.
