KOZHIKODE: The distant whistle of an approaching rail budget could be heard. What the budget-2007, scheduled for February 26, will chug on to Malabar’s track of expectation.
It seems several demands of train passengers from Malabar, which should find a place in the budget, have got derailed amidst the protest over formation of Salem division.
More passenger trains, extra general compartments on popular services, extension of services to south and north, and doubling of Mangalore-Shornur track are among major rail issues of the region, crying for attention.
It may be noted that the winding up of the Trichy-Mangalore Link Express evinced only feeble protest, that too from stray quarters. Ministers, MPs and MLAs from Malabar did not move their stumps to retain that service, when Pondy-Egmore Express was extended to Mangalore to link Mahe with its capital city.
More day time passenger trains to Mangalore and Shornur sectors have become inevitable. After Chennai Mail leaves Kozhikode at 8 a.m., only two services are being operated to North Kerala till 4 pm.
Of this, Intercity halts in Kannur. The day time train service from Kozhikode to South Kerala is also on the same line, after Parasuram leaves the city at 9 15 a.m.
Extending Thrissur-Kozhikode passenger to Kannur will help hundreds during morning hours. Besides, the running gap between Parasuram and Egmore services towards Mangalore can be arranged in a manner to benefit office-goers from Kozhikode.
Malabar’s link with Bangalore via Mangalore-Hassan route should be explored. At present, a passenger train runs between Mangalore and Subramania. This leaves Mangalore at 10 a.m. and reaches back at 5 pm.
If that service could be extended to Kannur or Kozhikode, North Kerala’s connectivity with Mangalore will improve considerably. Presently, Thiruvananthapuram-bound Malabar Express leaves Mangalore at 6 pm.
Extending Subramanya passenger to a Malabar destination will be a boon for evening commuters towards North Kerala, esepcailly to Kasargod.
“Last year, MPs from Kerala did not meet the Railway Minister before the presentation of budget. But this time, We have already raised the demands much in advance. All Kerala MPs will meet the Railway Minister on February 15, seeking a better deal in the budget,” P.Sathidevi MP told this website's newspaper.
She said priority should be given for speedy completion of track-doubling along Mangalore-Shornur sector. More long-distance trains and extension of various services to Mangalore and Shornur sectors are other issues to be addressed in the budget, she said.
“Even MPs from Malabar have failed to take up rail issues in the right spirit,” says K.P. Aboobacker, secretary, Malabar Train Action Committee.
He said the committee has petitioned the Ministry, to complete the ongoing renovation works at Kozhikode railway station. It has also sought extension of Kurla-Coimbatore service to Kozhikode.
It seems several demands of train passengers from Malabar, which should find a place in the budget, have got derailed amidst the protest over formation of Salem division.
More passenger trains, extra general compartments on popular services, extension of services to south and north, and doubling of Mangalore-Shornur track are among major rail issues of the region, crying for attention.
It may be noted that the winding up of the Trichy-Mangalore Link Express evinced only feeble protest, that too from stray quarters. Ministers, MPs and MLAs from Malabar did not move their stumps to retain that service, when Pondy-Egmore Express was extended to Mangalore to link Mahe with its capital city.
More day time passenger trains to Mangalore and Shornur sectors have become inevitable. After Chennai Mail leaves Kozhikode at 8 a.m., only two services are being operated to North Kerala till 4 pm.
Of this, Intercity halts in Kannur. The day time train service from Kozhikode to South Kerala is also on the same line, after Parasuram leaves the city at 9 15 a.m.
Extending Thrissur-Kozhikode passenger to Kannur will help hundreds during morning hours. Besides, the running gap between Parasuram and Egmore services towards Mangalore can be arranged in a manner to benefit office-goers from Kozhikode.
Malabar’s link with Bangalore via Mangalore-Hassan route should be explored. At present, a passenger train runs between Mangalore and Subramania. This leaves Mangalore at 10 a.m. and reaches back at 5 pm.
If that service could be extended to Kannur or Kozhikode, North Kerala’s connectivity with Mangalore will improve considerably. Presently, Thiruvananthapuram-bound Malabar Express leaves Mangalore at 6 pm.
Extending Subramanya passenger to a Malabar destination will be a boon for evening commuters towards North Kerala, esepcailly to Kasargod.
“Last year, MPs from Kerala did not meet the Railway Minister before the presentation of budget. But this time, We have already raised the demands much in advance. All Kerala MPs will meet the Railway Minister on February 15, seeking a better deal in the budget,” P.Sathidevi MP told this website's newspaper.
She said priority should be given for speedy completion of track-doubling along Mangalore-Shornur sector. More long-distance trains and extension of various services to Mangalore and Shornur sectors are other issues to be addressed in the budget, she said.
“Even MPs from Malabar have failed to take up rail issues in the right spirit,” says K.P. Aboobacker, secretary, Malabar Train Action Committee.
He said the committee has petitioned the Ministry, to complete the ongoing renovation works at Kozhikode railway station. It has also sought extension of Kurla-Coimbatore service to Kozhikode.
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