Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Railways chief engineer’s office shifted

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Less than a year after the unsuccessful move to shift the office of the Chief Engineer (Construction) from the divisional headquarters in the State capital to Chennai Egmore, the railways has now issued orders shifting the office to Kochi.

Railway sources told The Hindu that an order to this effect had been issued by the Secretary to the Chief Administrative Officer, Southern Railway. However, the office of the Deputy Chief Engineer (Construction) has been retained in the State capital.

The Chief Administrative Officer, Southern Railway, had issued orders to shift the CE (Construction) office to Chennai Egmore on June 25 last year. The move was abandoned following widespread protest from railway employees and from other quarters, as it was pointed out that it would hamper development of railway network.

At present, there is a Chief Engineer and Deputy Chief Engineer at the office functioning on the premises of the divisional railway office at Thycaud since September 20, 2000. Around 20 personnel are attached to the office. Railway sources said the Accounts Wing had already been shifted to the Chief Administrative Office functioning at Chennai Egmore almost a year ago.

It had been pointed out that the order to shift the office of the CE (Construction) was issued as the officials were finding it difficult to proceed to Chennai for the work related to finalisation of tenders. The finalisation of all tenders is being done in Chennai. Railway sources said once the office is shifted to Kochi, it will be easy for the railway officials to proceed to Chennai Egmore.

The shifting of the office of the CE (Construction) comes at a time when several forthcoming railway projects, including the upgrading of Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station into a world-class station and fast corridors, are being initiated by the railways.

A top railway official said the office of the CE (Construction) should be located at the divisional headquarters for ensuring better coordination with the different wings of railways and with the State government. The CE (Construction) was acting as the liaison officer for railway projects in Kerala during the NDA regime.

Railway sources said the shifting of the office to Kochi is part of the move to take it to Chennai. Already, the railway employees are up in arms against the move to shift the office to Kochi.

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