Is Chennai division set to corner two MEMU trains ordered by Kerala?
The railway authorities are yet to hand over to two new rakes of the MEMU trains to the state even though their manufacturing has been completed, triggering allegations that these could be given to the Chennai railway division.
The railway authorities are yet to hand over to two new rakes of the MEMU trains to the state even though their manufacturing has been completed, triggering allegations that these could be given to the Chennai railway division.
The railway authorities are yet to hand over to two new rakes of the MEMU trains to the state even though their manufacturing has been completed, triggering allegations that these could be given to the Chennai railway division.
Kochi: The railway sector in Kerala has been crying for attention even as passengers are troubled owing to frequent delays of trains running across the state. Meanwhile, the railway authorities are yet to hand over to two new rakes of the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains to the state even though their manufacturing has been completed, triggering allegations that these could be given to the Chennai railway division.
"The new MEMU rakes would help reduce the delay in train services. Sireesh Kumar Sinha, Thiruvananthapuram divisional railway manager, said even as he was hopeful that Kerala would get the MEMU trains despite the delay.
The Southern Railways claims the handing over of the rakes to the Thiruvananthapuram division is being delayed due to technical reasons. But the authorities are not giving a clear answer on when the MEMU rakes would be made available.
A few loco pilots from Kerala have already undergone training in Chennai to run the proposed MEMU trains.
The move in favour of Chennai is being allegedly made even though it was officially announced that the two energy-efficient, modern MEMU trains would be given to the Thiruvananthapuram division. They are set for use along the Ernakulam-Kollam and Kollam-Nagercoil routes when delivered.
Though the manufacturing of the trains was completed months ago, they are yet to be handed over to the Thiruvananthapuram division. More people can travel in these new MEMU rakes that consume less power.
The rakes that are kept at the Chennai yard could conduct services on the Chennai-Arakkonam and Chennai Beach-Tambaram routes if they are diverted. However, it appears as if the state government or the MPs would have to intervene on behalf of the state to get hold of the rakes.
The old passenger trains would be completely changed into MEMU services in a phased manner, Sinha added.