Taking into consideration the ongoing agitations over the move by the Railways to close the state’s lone diesel loco shed, P Rajeeve MP visited the shed here at Ernakulam South Railway Station on Tuesday.
Rajeeve, who spoke to reporters here after the visit, said he had taken up the issue at the Central level. Also, the issue will be discussed as the main agenda in the meeting between MPs and Southern Railways’ general manager in Thiruvananthapuram on October 18.
“We have received a confirmation that the diesel loco shed will be converted to an electric loco shed. The construction of an electric loco shed will be an added benefit to the state, provided that the Railways reinstate the diesel loco shed. If the move is to close the diesel loco shed for the electric shed, it will resisted,” Rajeeve said.
He pointed out that there is no precedent in the Railways wherein a diesel loco shed was closed for setting up an electric loco shed.
The Railways has gone back on its word to provide a power laundry in Ernakulam. Medical college for railway employees and herthala wagon factory remain non-starters. There has been no progress in the construction of Kanjikode coach factory. He said there were no moves by Railways to set up a diesel loco shed at Mangalore.
Hibi Eden MLA, who also visited the location, said all efforts will be taken to prevent the Railways from making the move. SRES/INTUC-affiliated employees are carrying out protests at the diesel loco shed. The SRMU employees had launched a strike on Monday.