The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has opposed the move to lease out land belonging to the Railways for the development of the Kozhikode railway station.
At a press meet here on Sunday, INTUC national president G. Sanjeeva Reddy said they would oppose any move that was against the interests of the workers.
‘Stall development’
“If land is leased out to a private party, there is no chance for the expansion of the railway station. It will stall the prospects of the future development of the station,” he said.
INTUC State president R. Chandrasekharan, denied having any knowledge about the proposal, a pet project of Congress MP M.K. Raghavan.
The Dakshin Railway Employees Union, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, too had opposed the proposal saying it should be viewed in context of the Bibek Debroy panel report that suggested privatisation of the Railways. The union has apprehended increase in passenger fares and closure of loss-making routes if the panel recommendations are implemented. Kozhikode is among the 23 railway stations that is proposed to be developed with world-class facilities at a cost of ₹75 crore each. As per the Swiss Challenge Method, four sites selected for the project will be leased to a successful bidder for 45 years.
