Kanyakumari District Railway Users’ Association has demanded that a Kochuveli-Velankanni train should be introduced as pilgrims from South Kerala and South Tamil Nadu visit Velankanni all through the year in large numbers.
Also, the association has demanded a Kanyakumari-Mangalore link train service via Kottayam and direct memu train service from Kanyakumari-Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram-Tirunelveli.
P Edward Jeni, secretary, Kanyakumari District Railway Users’ Association in a press release said that doubling of projects should also be undertaken between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari.
“Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil-Kanyakumari (87 km) is a highly saturated single line section with a line capacity utilisation of 95.7%. It was announced in 2004-05 and in 2011-12 railway budget that a survey would be conducted to lay one more line in parallel with the existing line between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari stations to make the stretch double, aiming at reducing the existing traffic congestion between the stretches. Accordingly, a survey and feasibility study was conducted and the report submitted to to Railway Board for consideration and approval,” he said.
However, even five years after the budgetary announcement, there is no sign of the project-realisation.
“Due to over congestion in the stretch, the railway authorities already expressed their inability to introduce any new train in the stretch. As a result, the momentum in the railway development project has been stalled and the scope for any new train in the near future is very bleak. The association is really concerned about the present situation and urge Railways to announce the doubling works as soon as possible,” the association said in a press release.
