Title - Call to reduce dependence on goods transport by road

‘More freight trains can reduce burden on State’s highways’. At least one train must ferry freight from the Vallarpadam container transshipment terminal per day to inland (dry) ports like Coimbatore and Hyderabad, to prevent the highways from being choked by goods and container carriers, Thiruvanathapuram Divisional Railway Manager Rajesh Agarwal has said.As per plans, 20 goods trains were scheduled to transport containers from the terminal each day.Expressing deep concern over the increase in number of lorries carrying containers and other goods, he said that Kerala’s narrow highways could not accommodate this much traffic. “The State’s highways are less than half the width of the standard set nationally. They also pass through ecologically-sensitive areas and wildlife sanctuaries, especially in northern districts like Wayanad,” Mr. Agarwal said, after inaugurating a rail-ticket booking facility at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Edappally.This necessitates the transport of goods by rail. The matter has been taken up with the authorities of Vallarpadam terminal, Container Corporation, Planning Board, and also with the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister. Around 75 per cent of the lorries on the highways are from other States and the goods that they ferry can easily be transported by rail, he said.

Referring to the plight of the around 100 ports in the country, Mr. Agarwal said that only five or six of them were performing satisfactorily. “The Kochi port needs to fare much better and has the potential to become the best port in the country.”

He added that the Railway needed the cooperation of the Cochin Port Trust to increase the volume of goods transported by rail from Wellingdon Island. Though ports alongside the Bay of Bengal on the eastern side are flourishing, ports on the country’s western side have very high potential (since they are located close to the international shipping channel).

Elaborating on the huge potential to transport agricultural produce from the State through rail, he said that the Cochin Port had the potential to become a hub for transporting bulk cargo like coconuts, plantains, rubber, jackfruit etc., to other parts of the country. History shows that countries in the Middle East and South East Asia developed because of their ports.

MEMU service

Mr. Agarwal cited the need to take some tough decisions to speed up trains passing through the State. Most trains mentioned in the budget have begun operating. The Kollam-Nagercoil mainline electrical multiple unit (MEMU) train will begin service in September.

Responding to a question from media persons about the delay in constructing overbridges at level crossings and other busy corridors, he said that around 80 railway overbridge works are pending in the State, many of them facing a delay of about 10 years.

On the necessity of an overbridge connecting either side of the Edappally Railway station, he said that the Railways was in contact with the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK), to speed up the paper works.

“The blueprint to develop the Ernakulam Junction railway station into a world-class station is ready,” Mr. Agarwal added. Speaking about the plans to set up more ticket-booking counters outside railway stations, he said that people need not waste their time waiting in long queues at railway stations.

The others who spoke included the Ernakulam Area Manager of Southern Railway P.L. Asok Kumar, and Prem Nair, the medical director of AIMS.