Date:11/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/11/stories/2007071158340200.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Meetings for expediting railway development

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Railways have decided to commence monthly meetings with the State Government to expedite railway development in the State and to sort out the problems in implementing railway projects.

Titus P. Koshy, who has taken over as the Divisional Railway Manager, Thiruvananthapuram, told The Hindu that the Railways accepted the suggestion to this effect mooted by Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar who holds charge of Railways. The Railways will be represented at the highest level in the monthly meetings. It is for the first time that the Railways are going for such an arrangement in the State. The meetings will be an effective forum to solve many issues faced by the Railways like land acquisition.

Mr. Koshy, who had earlier served as Additional Divisional Railway Manager for five years, said his efforts as the Divisional Railway Manager would be to expedite ongoing development work and to improve passenger amenities.

“There will be major efforts to take up the simultaneous development of Kochuveli for commencement of long distance trains, Nemom for Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMU) and doubling of the congested Kayamkulam-Kottayam sector,” Mr. Koshy said.

On the commencement of MEMU services, he said the Railways had already sanctioned an MEMU shed at Kollam. The 20 acre of land with the Railways in Nemom will be used for setting up the terminal for suburban services.

Mr. Koshy said steps would be taken to enhance passenger security.