MP Raghavan presses for faster railway projects in Palakkad division
M.K. Raghavan met DRM Madhukar Rauth to push for time-bound completion of railway projects, including Kozhikode station redevelopment and new services.
Member of Parliament M.K. Raghavan has urged the Palakkad railway division to speed up pending development works and address passenger grievances, during a meeting with Divisional Railway Manager Madhukar Rauth on Wednesday.
A key concern raised was the prolonged delay in the redevelopment of Kozhikode railway station. Citing repeated failures by the contractor, Mr. Raghavan said the Railways have decided to terminate the existing contract and hand the work over to a new agency.
The division has also agreed to move on several service improvements. Additional MEMU services are planned on the Mangaluru–Palakkad route, and efforts will be made to expedite the allocation of five MEMU rakes requested from the Chennai headquarters for the Palakkad shed.
On long-distance connectivity, the possibility of a new daily Vande Bharat sleeper or express service linking north Malabar to Bengaluru via Palakkad will be taken up with the Railway Board. The division will also seek extension of the Goa–Mangaluru Vande Bharat service to Kozhikode, given the relatively low patronage on the existing route.
To address operational challenges arising from the transfer of the Mangaluru section to South Western Railway, approval will be sought for a pit line capable of maintaining 24-coach trains.
Infrastructure clearances are to be fast-tracked for road overbridges and underbridges at P.T. Usha Road, Panicker Road, and West Hill Chungam. The demand for stoppages for major trains at Feroke and Kadalundi will also be actively considered, alongside efforts to resolve issues faced by railway employees.
A team led by the DRM will visit Kallayi, Kadalundi, and Feroke to inspect local concerns. These include a request for a limited-use subway at Kallayi, permission to restore a road passing through railway land at Kadalundi, and a proposal to lease railway land at Feroke to the municipality for development activities.
Mr. Raghavan said he would intervene strongly at the Railway Board level to expedite decisions requiring its approval. Senior divisional engineer (coordination) Mohammed Islam and assistant executive engineer (construction) Habeeb Rahman attended the meeting.