Ernakulam MLA Hibi Eden voiced his protest against the brand new DEMU train that was flagged off here on Sunday by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu being withdrawn from service within hours of its maiden trip and being replaced with an ‘old’ MEMU train from Monday.
Speaking at the function, he called upon Southern Railway to renovate Harbour Terminus Station and Old Railway Station and ready infrastructure needed to resume train operations to the two historic stations, so that the DEMU train can be brought back to Ernakulam. He also demanded that Railway initiate steps to preserve Mangalavanam bird sanctuary located near Old Railway Station.
Mr Eden further demanded steps to create world-class infrastructure as promised in Railway budgets at Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations and steps to decongest the two stations.
“By recently earmarking Rs 2 crore for developing the stations, State government has made it clear that it is willing to share the project cost.”
Terminating a few trains at Harbour Terminus will decongest Ernakulam Junction station, said K.V. Thomas, MP. “Simultaneously, stops must be allotted to more long-distance trains at Tripunithura and Edappally. The Thiruvananthapuram-New Delhi Rajadhani Express must be made a daily train.”
