State expecting a better deal this time

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi assuring a fair deal for the state in the Railway Budget to be presented on Wednesday, railway passengers in the state are in an upbeat mood. Though many of them do not expect big announcements like the Peninsular Railway Zone, several long-pending demands of the state are expected to be addressed in the budget. “We have every reason to expect a better deal this time,” said Sajeev Parasuvila, president of the Southern Railway Passengers Association. Railway officials too believe that the state would have a fair deal since the Chief Minister himself had taken up the issue with the Railway Minister. “Besides assistance for the rail coach factory in Palakkad, the budget is expected to earmark sufficent funds of the MEMU services,” an official said. Though the MEMU service was announced by the Railways an year ago in the Kollam-Ernakulam and Kollam-Nagercoil routes, the works were delayed owing to the non-availability of  rakes.“Funds for doubling works is likely to find place in the Budget,” the official said. The Budget is also expected to provide more compartments in Express trains and an assistance for the coaching terminal in Nemom.The State Government in its memorandum to the Railway Ministry had also asked for more trains. “An earlier announcement of Bangalore-bound trains from Alappuzha or Ernakulam is likely to materialise,” Railway sources said. The budget is also expected to increase the frequency of Duronto trains which would be a relief to Mumbai Malayalees.   Steps to Ensure Safety of Women Travellers The Railway officials also said that steps to ensure the safety of women travellers could be expected in the Budget in the wake of the recent reports of attacks against women passengers in the state. “We also expect more coaches  for women in Express and Passenger trains,” they said.