No special railway zone for Kerala, says Gowda

Kochi: Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Thursday that Kerala would not be granted a special railway zone.

The minister, however, announced that there will be a special train from Pune to the state during the Onam season. Gowda was speaking to the media after visiting Ernakulam South Railway station. He said that the state government must share half the cost for the developmental works in the rail sector.

"The Centre, at present, cannot consider the demand for a special railway zone. We will, however, consider the demand for new coaches for the trains servicing in the State,” he said.

Gowda further said that the central government has allotted Rs 350 crore for the railway development adding that the state should deal with the land acquisition issues effectively as they stand in the way of railway development. The minister also stated that all the railway stations in the country will be cleaned to perfection on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti day.

Gowda extended his help and support for the railway development in the state. He will preside over a meeting in Kochi to discuss projects related to Kerala. Senior officials of the Palakkad, and Thiruvananthapuram Railway divisions and MPs would attend the meeting.