KOCHI:In a major step that will help reduce travel time between the city and the outskirts, the much touted DEMU service will begin operations from Ernakulam Junction station on June 21. The rates too will have the common man smile while travelling. According to the railway officials, the cost of travel between the stations in the city limits including Ernakulam Junction station and the Ernakulam Town station will only be Rs 5. Meanwhile, those that operate towards the outskirts may go up to Rs 10.
The Diesel Electric Multiple Unit(DEMU) aims at providing environment friendly services at cheaper cost and efficient speed.
If there is no delay owing to the presence of other trains, passengers can expect to reach their destinations on time and as early as possible.
The service, which will be flagged of by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday, might also boast of the country’s first AC coach car on a DEMU train. The rake is already ready for operations in Chennai. The rate of the AC coach car tickets have not yet been decided upon. It is also learnt that the railways is mulling on introducing reservations for the shuttle service.
The service which will operate from 6 am to 8.30 pm will be operated between Ernakulam Junction station to Aluva and Tripunithura.
Passenger associations have welcomed the move and are already pressing for the extension of the services towards Angamaly from Aluva and Piravom Road from Tripunithura.
“We welcome such a service and it is extremely feasible since there is no huge investment needed to be put in for the associated infrastructure development. The authorities should also ensure that there are feeder services from these destinations to make it a better success. We will continue to press for the need to revive the Old Railway Station and the Cochin Harbour Terminus Station as it will prove extremely useful for the DEMU service,” said All Kerala Railway Users Association president K J Paul Manjavattom.
The railways plans to operate the services through the Old Railway Station as soon as possible but it expects a period of four to six months for its revival since a 1.5 km stretch from the mainline has to be renovated.
DEMU Delight
The much touted DEMU service will begin operations from Ernakulam Junction station on June 21
The service will be flagged of by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu
It aims at providing environment friendly services at cheaper cost and efficient speed
The ticket rates for travel between the stations in the city limits will only be Rs 5.
Those that operate towards the outskirts may go up to Rs 10
It might boast of the country’s first AC coach car on a DEMU train
The rake is already ready for operations in Chennai
The rate of the AC coach car tickets have not yet been decided upon
The railways is mulling on introducing reservations for the shuttle service
The service which will operate from 6 am to 8.30 pm will be operated between Ernakulam Junction station to Aluva and Tripunithura
