The Hindu : Front Page : Suburban trains likely by year-end

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 30, 2007
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Suburban trains likely by year-end

Ignatius Pereira

KOLLAM: The State Government is hopeful that Railways will be able to start suburban train services between Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam by the year-end, using mainline electrical multiple units (MEMUs).

Chief Minister's Political Secretary K.N. Balagopal told The Hindu on Sunday that the Railways sanctioning Rs.7 crore for setting up a MEMU maintenance workshop here was the main factor that led to the hope. Formalities in this connection were progressing.

He said it was Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan who first submitted a proposal for starting MEMU services in the State.

The intention was to reduce pressure on State roads. The proposal was submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad. The services were proposed on three stretches: Thiruvananthapuram to Kayamkulam, Kayamkulam to Thrissur and Thrissur to Kannur or even beyond.

The service would be initially run between Kollam and the capital. He said the State Government was seriously following up the proposal.

To start with, four trains would be allocated, it was expected. The calculation was that even if the trains halted at all stations between the two cities, they would be able to cover the distance in an hour and 15 minutes. That would be a boon for passengers.

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