CHENNAI, APR 26
Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw during his two-day visit to Kerala, on Tuesday and Wednesday, held a review meeting with Railway officials and later inspected Nemom and Kochuveli terminals proposed to be upgraded as part of comprehensive development of Thiruvananthapuram area.
- The Minister takes stock of various rail doubling & new line and sectional speed increase projects in Kerala
- Railway Minister conducts inspection of Nemom & Kochuveli Terminals
The Minister conducted a review meeting with RN Singh, General Manager, Southern Railway in the presence of Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, Railway Board & Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Principal Heads of Departments of Southern Railway and SM Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager, Thiruvananthapuram participated in the meeting. The Minister urged the officials to fast track the station redevelopment projects of Ernakulam, Ernakulam Town and Kollam Junction and reviewed the proposed blueprint of Station redevelopment projects of Thiruvananthapuram Central, Varkala Sivagiri and Kozhikode stations.
The Minister also reviewed the status of various ongoing doubling and new line projects and sought the concerted efforts of all the officials for expeditious implementation. The Minister also scrutinized the proposed speed enhancement projects in the state of Kerala that will pave the way for operation of trains like Vande Bharat and other Mail/Express services at higher speeds.
Inspection of Nemom & Kochuveli Terminals
Followed by the review meeting, the Union Minister inspected Nemom terminal accompanied by Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, Railway Board & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), RN Singh, General Manager, Southern Railway, Principal Heads of Departments of Southern Railway and SM Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager, Thiruvananthapuram. The Minister exhorted the officials to expedite the project within the time-frame. Later, the Minister visited Kochuveli station and inspected ‘One Station One Product’ outlet and the catering unit at the station. The Minister met Kadakampally Surendran, MLA of Kazhakuttam Constituency at the station and held discussions. Thereafter, the Minister interacted with the passengers at Kochuveli station and received their feedback.
Later, the Minister met media persons at Nemom and Kochuveli and briefed them about the proposed project for development of Nemom and Kochuveli and the work-in-progress at the terminals with regard to construction of pitlines, stabling lines, Platform extension works, augmentation of coaching facilities and measures to decongest Thiruvananthapuram Central.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the flagging off ceremony of Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express by Hon’ble Prime Minister. Later, the Minister joined other dignitaries at the Hon’ble PM event at Central Stadium, Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram where various rail, Kochi Water Metro and Kerala state govt. projects were unveiled.
