THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP state leadership has welcomed the railway budget commending Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu for not increasing the fares and for the initiatives to improve the services.
Though the leadership had demanded projects worth Rs 2,000 crore to the state, the budget contained announcements worth only Rs 1,041 crore. Senior BJP leader and former union railway minister O. Rajagopal had submitted a recommendation on the state’s railway needs to the railway minister when he was here a few weeks ago.
BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said increasing the speed of the trains between New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram would be helpful to the passengers. Ensuring the safety of women passengers and giving job reservation were welcome steps.
“The decision on the suburban rail scheme and the development of Chengannur railway station benefiting the Sabarimala pilgrims are good initiatives for the state,” he said.
He also hailed the decision to bring the women’s coach to the middle of the train, enhancing the reservation quota for the elderly and providing them lower berths.
