MPs from Thiruvananthapuram lambast quality of food on trains
T'puram: MPs belonging to constituencies that fall in the Thiruvananthapuram railway division raised the issue of the quality of food supplied on trains in the state at a meeting with officials of Southern Railway.
Twelve MPs took part in the meeting organized by the railways to discuss development activities in the Thiruvananthapuram division. The MPs spoke about the incident wherein Kochi Corporation officials raided Railways' central kitchen and found that food was being prepared in an unhygienic manner. However, Southern Railway allegedly passed on the responsibility to IRCTC, which is handling the catering on trains.
"We have urged Railways to blacklist the Delhi-based company and withdraw them from supplying food to trains," said MP Kodikunnil Suresh. He raised suspicions over how a Delhi-based company was given the contract to supply Kerala food on trains here.
The MPs have asked for a comprehensive investigation because a fine alone is not enough. "We have said that Southern Railway cannot wash their hands of it by saying that it is the responsibility of IRCTC.
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The railway zone also has the responsibility to ensure that good quality food is given on trains operated by them," Suresh said.
Meanwhile, the MP added that Railways said that a lack of land or delay in land acquisition by the state govt is the reason for delays in railway projects. Suresh said that the state is yet to hand over land for the railway line connecting Vizhinjam and the Sabari line. "The state govt is not doing its part.
Around 160 acres are needed to build the third line. This line is needed to run more trains. The railways have expressed full cooperation to solve all issues that come under the Thiruvananthapuram division and Southern Railway zone," he added.
MP NK Premachandran said that an additional platform should also be built at Kollam railway station. He said that Railways has assured that a multi-disciplinary training institute to offer a divisional permanent way training centre, divisional traffic training centre, and divisional mechanical training centre will be set up in Kollam. "Railways has allocated Rs 4 crore, and the work will be completed in Oct 2025," he said.
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