KOTTAYAM: Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has said that the adoption of public-private participation (PPP) method would be helpful for the Railways to address the huge quantity of resources needed for the modernisation process of Indian Railways.
Prabhu was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the modern railway station building at Changanassery, at a function held on the Railway station premises on Sunday. He said the Railways have already commenced the modernisation process and it was expected to be completed in three cycles having five years each.
According to him, the first phase of the first five years has already commenced. He added that the modernisation of Railways is essential for the modernisation of the country and the transformation of the nation can be achieved through the process.
Suresh Prabhu also called up on the Railway authorities to have a pragmatic look at the issues and increase the revenue. He added that the decentralisation effort has given a lot of powers to the divisional railway manager and general managers at the same time responsibilities as well. The Minister also directed the persons concerned to not construct the new building for the Changanassery railway station just like any other building.
“Every railway station building should be a monument to the cultural heritage of the locality, and should incorporate state-of-the-art facilities into the building,” he said.
Kodikunnil Suresh MP who was present at the function, requested the Minister to take necessary steps to extend the Kochi-Kottayam passenger train to Kayamkulam. C F Thomas MLA requested for stops for more express trains at Changanassery.
Changanassery municipal chairperson Krishnakkumari Rajasekharan, Southern Railway general manager, Ashok K Agarwal; CAO/Construction, Ernakulam, P K Mishra, and others spoke on the occasion.
