Budget ignored Malabar, say forums

Proposals for Kozhikode railway station not included

February 27, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:43 am IST - Kozhikode:

The Malabar Train Action Committee (MTAC) and the Malabar Chamber of Commerce (MCC) have flayed the Railway Budget for 2015-16 presented by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in Parliament on Thursday, saying that it totally ignored the needs of north Kerala.

People of the Malabar had high expectations from the budget. But none of the proposals, including the upgrading of the Kozhikode railway station to international standards, found a mention in the budget, MTAC chairman P.V. Gangadharan and MCC president C. Mohanan said here on Thursday.

The budget had not spoken of improving facilities on the fourth platform at the station, including the roofing of the entire stretch. Similarly, it had left out another long-pending demand — a pit-lane either at West Hill or Elathur in the city.

It had also ignored plans for establishing a suburban railway line between Kozhikode and Thrissur and Kozhikode and Kannur; completing the electrification process between Shoranur and Mangaluru; and setting up of substations at Kannur, Elathur, and Tirur.

They also demanded that that the budget incorporate proposals for new trains such as Chennai-Mangaluru- Goa, Kannur-Yeshwantpur, Chennai- Mangaluru, and Kozhikode-Hyderabad, and for extending the Kozhikode-Thrissur passenger train to Guruvayur.

They also said that the coaches of trains running in Malabar were old and unfit. At least two coaches should be added to all trains in view of festival rush. Automatic signalling system should be implemented across north Kerala, they added.

Budget hailed

However, the Confederation of All India Rail Users’ Association chairman A.V. Anoop, working president C.E. Chakkunni, and general convener M.P. Anwar hailed this year’s Railway Budget and said that it envisaged overall development of the sector with emphasis on safety, cleanliness, and facilities.

They said that the proposals such as ‘Operation 5 Minutes,’ wherein passengers travelling unreserved being able to purchase a ticket in five minutes, and reservation of train tickets 120 days in advance would be beneficial to the commuters.

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