Thiruvananthapuram: Government as well as private sector employees who travel to the state capital from other locations have been assured that they will be provided trains that help them reach on time.
Southern Railway General Manager (GM) R K Kulshreshta has promised that the railways will revamp the timetable to ensure this. The assurance was given at a meeting of members of parliament, called ahead of the railway budget.
K C Venugopal MP, who presided over the meeting, said the operations wing chief at Southern Railway has already issued necessary directions in this regard to officials.
Passenger trains that run between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam and Alappuzha will be given preference in the timetable revamp.
Makeover for Venad
Old coaches in Venad Express will be replaced soon. New coaches with modern facilities will be in service within a week. The rake has arrived. Coaches will be changed in two other trains also.
Service extension
A proposal to extend the Pune-Ernakulam Express to Thiruvananthapuram is under consideration. Rajadhani Express could be put in service five days a week; a recommendation has been sent to the Railway Board.
Karunagapally station will be upgraded. Two more coaches will be added to the Inter-City Express.
MPs a must for launching
The GM has issued instructions that the launches of any new railway expansion program should have the presence of MPs. The instructions came after all the MPs took up the matter.
CCTV cameras soon
The delay in the installation of CCTV cameras will be addressed immediately to ensure security at railway stations, the GM assured in the meeting. Officials have been told to make sure that lights on platforms are kept switched on. The directive comes against the background of complaints about lights being switched off during odd hours.
Drinking water
The problem of drinking water shortage in coaches will be resolved. Passengers have complained that water provided in most of the coaches are not fit for consumption.
Meetings a farce, say MPs
The MPs complained that meetings called by the GM to discuss railway development plans are turning into mere farce. They also pointed out that decisions taken at earlier meetings have not been implemented. The GM promised he will look into the complaint and take action.
MP attendance poor
However, Kerala MPs cut a sorry figure staying off the critical meeting that could have reaped rich dividends.
Only five out of the 20 members of the Lok Sabha attended, while Left Front and BJP members were on no-show. K C Venugopal, M K Raghavan, Jos K Mani, Kodikunnel Suresh and Anto Antony attended.
From the Rajya Sabha, only P V Abdul Wahab was present. Two upper chamber members from Tamil Nadu also joined.