Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

LIC serves notice on Railway

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

For shifting satellite reservation centre from Pattom complex

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Notice has been served on the Railway for shifting the satellite reservation centre functioning from the Life Insurance Corporation's (LIC) buildings at Pattom within three months.

The notice, which has been served at the end of the five-year lease period, had asked the railways to shift the computerised reservation centre by next month. A senior official of the railway division, confirming the receipt of the notice, told The Hindu that the LIC was demanding a 25 per cent hike in the rent for the hall to avoid eviction.

The railways had been paying Rs. 14,000 per month as rent for the hall leased out to them for the last five years. "As per the stipulations of the Railway Board, we cannot give a higher rent as demanded by the LIC. Although we are ready to increase the rent by five per cent, the LIC is not relenting", he added.

The railway authorities have already written to the State Government demanding 600-700 sq.ft in buildings owned by it to set up the centre.

Although the satellite reservation centre at Pattom had only three counters and did not have the facility to reserve tickets through credit cards as in reserveation centre at the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station at Thampanoor, over 1,000 persons daily frequent it. It was convenient for physically challenged and senior citizens, as it was located in the ground floor.

The centre had been a big relief to the residents in northern parts of the city and those coming to the Public Service Commission, Medical College, Regional Cancer Centre and the Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. Besides, the ample parking facilities and easy access from NH 47 and MC Road had made it popular.

Alternate locations

One of the alternate locations being mooted is the Friends Centre at Saphalyam complex near VJT Hall.

But, it has come in for opposition as the place is crowded and lacks adequate parking facilities.

Residents are of the view that the reservation centre should be located somewhere between Pattom and Kesavadasapuram, preferably at TRIDA's Kedaram complex, so that the citizens get the benefit of the satellite centre.

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