Railways would be able to save lakhs of rupees which it spends each month for taking the rakes to Palakkad for maintenance as the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) shed meant for MEMU maintenance in Kollam has started its operations.
An amount of Rs 50,000 is required for transporting a single rake to Palakkad for maintenance and the rakes of all three MEMUs which operate from Kollam are usually taken to Palakkad for maintenance. This new shed has put an end to this practice.
However, this MEMU shed is yet to be inaugurated even though it was constructed six months ago. “Staff shortage is the key reason why it has not been inaugurated,” Rajesh Agarwal, Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager said.
Around 10 staff were recruited so far in addition to the existing seven which is not sufficient. Kollam- Kanyakumari MEMU’s maintenance was conducted in the shed at the commencement of its service.