Trivandrum: Union Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw held a review meeting with Railway officials and later inspected Nemom and Kochuveli terminals proposed to be upgraded as part of the comprehensive development of Thiruvananthapuram area.
The Minister also reviewed the master plans for the redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram Central, Varkala Sivagiri and Kozhikode railway stations. The Minister took stock of various rail doubling & new line and sectional speed increase projects in Kerala during his two-day visit to Kerala.
The Minister conducted the review meeting with Shri R N Singh, General Manager, Southern Railway in the presence of Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, Railway Board & CEO. Principal Heads of Departments of Southern Railway and Shri S.M. 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. The Minister 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 the operation of trains like Vande Bharat and other Mail/Express services at higher speeds.
Followed by the review meeting, the Union Minister inspected the Nemom terminal. The Minister exhorted the officials to expedite the project within the time frame. Later, the Minister visited Kochuveli station and inspected the ‘One Station One Product’ outlet and the catering unit at the station. The Minister interacted with the passengers at Kochuveli station and received their feedback.
The Minister met media persons at Nemom and Kochuveli and briefed them about the proposed project for the development of Nemom and Kochuveli and the work-in-progress at the terminals with regard to the construction of pitlines, stabling lines, Platform extension works, augmentation of coaching facilities and measures to decongest Thiruvananthapuram Central.
Earlier, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the flagging off ceremony of Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express by PM at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station.