RailEnquiry

A MEMU rake, which was meant for the Kollam-Nagercoil stretch, has been allegedly lying idle since July 13 at the Palakkad Junction.According to sources, the Thiruvananthapuram division is yet to claim the train, which was promised to Kerala in the last budget.“The rake has been left lying in the open. It was said to be brought here so that it could be run on the Kollam-Nagercoil route,” sources added.The non-availability of loco-drivers could be the reason as to why the division has not claimed it so far. Also, lack of space at Ernakulam and Kollam stations is the other reason why the rake has been presently kept at Palakkad.“It is the responsibility of the Thiruvananthapuram division to make sure that the rake is used,” sources said. “There were anticipations that we would receive the train this year. Now, that it has arrived, the authorities should take all possible steps to retain it. There are chances that the rake could be taken back if nobody  claims it,” said All Kerala Railway Users Association President K J Paul Manvattom.”“The division may not have acquired a clearance certificate for the train yet,” sources added.However, Thiruvananthapuram division DRM Rajesh Agarwal said that they are yet to receive the train.“Once we receive the rake, it will definitely start running at the earliest. There is nothing we can do about it at present,” he said.