Public Private Partnership route to modernise Railways, says Suresh Prabhu

Thrissur: The Union government is drawing up a plan to modernise the Indian Railways with the participation of private sector and voluntary organisations, said Railway Minster Suresh Prabhu here on Monday. The minister was speaking after inaugurating the free wi-fi services, escalator and emergency medical care unit at Thrissur Railway Station via video conference from Kozhikode.

District panchayat president Sheela Vijayakumar and Thrissur Mayor Ajitha Jayarajan after the inauguration of the escalator on platform 2 in Thrissur Railway Station. (Photo: DC)“Kerala is giving good response to the Private-Public-Participation (PPP) model put forth by the Centre. The Ernakulam terminal will be developed with private partnership,” he said. The government was planning to modernise 37 stations in South India and would consider allocation of more funds to Kerala. The minister said that for Kerala the Railways was focusing on improving the speed of the trains and better facilities for the passengers.