THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government will request the Railway Ministry to launch free Wi-Fi service and to install elevators and escalators at the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.
The State Government will also place a host of ambitious plans for the capital district as a prelude to the Railway Budget-2012. The proposals would be based on the MPs’ meeting held in this regard recently.
Sources told Express that the Government would request the Railways to set up Wi-Fi service at all major stations in the State in association with BSNL.
The Government will also ask the Railways to find a solution to the parking woes of passengers at the Central Station. Lack of adequate parking facilities at the station has been troubling the passengers for long. The Government will suggest the setting up of a multi-level car parking facility at the station. The facility, which could come up on a PPP model, is one of the major demands of the Government.
The Railways will be asked to set up more passenger amenities at the Central station and other stations in the district. They include foot-overbridges, platform roof, drinking water, waiting room and information display systems.
Though the Government wants world-class facilities at the Central Station, it would suggest to the Railways to take steps to shift the traffic to Nemom and Kochuveli.
Another major recommendation will be to take steps to establish the Railway Medical College in the capital. The medical college project was announced in the 2010-11 Budget.
The Government will also ask the Railways to increase the height of platforms at some stations in the State, including Kadakkavoor and Chirayinkeezhu.
There were complaints that the platforms at these stations are posing inconvenience to women and children,besides the risk of accidents.