The Hindu : Move to remodel Guruvayur-Egmore Express

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 16, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Move to remodel Guruvayur-Egmore Express

By Our Staff Reporter

THRISSUR NOV. 15. The General Manager of the Southern Railway, G. Anand, has said that the Railway was considering a proposal to redesign the Guruvayur-Egmore Express in the wake of reports that it was running continuously late after its extension from Nagerkovil to Egmore. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Thrissur Railway Station today, Mr. Anand pointed out that the extension of that train from Nagerkovil to Egmore seemed to have satisfied none. "Even those who clamoured for its extension to Egmore (from the Tamil Nadu area) are frustrated now, because the train never runs on time. So the Railway was considering various proposals to ensure that it runs on time," the General Manager said.

He said the Railways will also consider the proposal to introduce the `Twin-single line system' between Shornur and Ernakulam to ensure maximum utilisation of the track. When the system comes into effect it will permit easy overtaking of one train by another through the cross-overs to be built in all the stations.

When it becomes operational it will avoid the complaints of inordinate detention of passenger trains for permitting to the express and goods trains to overtake. Such system is already in operation between Palakkad and Pothannur, which has double line. The General Manager said the Railways will be ready to introduce that between Shornur and Ernakulam where there is already a double line. On the demand for the extension of the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakualm Inter-City Express to Guruvayur or Shornur, the General Manager said this proposal can be considered only after assessing the facilities for the maintenance of the train. Right now there are no such facilities at Shornur or Guruvayur. "We need at least four hours of day light for the maintenance of the train. It is not correct to say that the train is being kept idle at its terminus stations at Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram because they are kept there for maintenance. There must also be time for the maintenance of the tracks," he explained. However, Anand said the proposal for making the Inter-City Express and the Tea Garden Express connecting trains will be considered.

Replying to the complaints of paucity of reservation quota for the passengers in the Thrissur-Ernakulam sector in the Bangalore-bound Island Express while there are surplus quota in the Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad sectors, Mr Anand said, a review of the availability and utilisation of the quota allocated to the various sectors will be conducted soon and, wherever the quota of seats are remaining underutilised they will be shifted to those regions where there is excess demand. On the demand for coaches for the Guruvayur-Ernakulam push-pull train and Alleppuzha-Kannur Express, Mr. Anand said steps will be taken to resolve this issue at the earliest.

However, he cautioned that there is an acute shortage of coaches in the entire Railways because of the introduction of new trains and this will be eased only when the new coaches come out of the factories such as the Integral Coach Factory, Perambur.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Antony group sceptical about KPCC chief's offer

Four killed as lift collapses

Medical facilities at Sabarimala

Sabarimala temple opens today

An astrological woodland in the making

All Indira loyalists welcome to rally: Thankachan

National Book Festival to begin tomorrow

Thrissur panchayat to launch drive against stray dogs

Move to remodel Guruvayur-Egmore Express

Jamaat chief's call to oppose UDF criticised

Cong. leadership not worried about `I' group rally

20,000 from Kollam for Nov. 19 rally

SNDP to try its hand at trade unionism

Syro-Malabar Synod to work for communal harmony