Thiruvananthapuram: Techies for more trains, Railways cites hurdles

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as techies at Technopark staged a massive demonstration on Friday demanding stops for more trains at Kazhakkoottam railway station, railway authorities cited various reasons for not allowing stoppages for more trains.  About 1,000 techies took part in the demonstration demanding stoppages for more trains, a long pending demand of the techies. They gathered in front of Technopark main gate and marched toward the Kazhakkoottam railway station, which is nearby. Mayor V K Prasath, who addressed the gathering, assured that he would take up their demand.

“The participation of techies reflected the gravity of the demand for stoppage of more trains at Kazhakkoottam, which would benefit hundreds of Technpark employees from neighbouring districts,” said Rajeev Krishna, secretary of Prathidhwani, a socio-cultural and welfare organisation of techies, which organised the demonstration. Meanwhile, railway officials said that already stoppages were allowed for five express trains and four passenger trains and allowing stops for more trains had practical difficulties.

“It would further delay the arrival time of many trains in Thiruvananthapuram central station. It would invite protests from hundreds of office goers depending on these trains,” said divisional railway manager Prakash Bhutani.  However, considering the demand of the techies, the division had mooted stoppages for a couple of more express trains at Kazhakkoo-ttam. But a decision had to be taken at the railway headquarters, he added.  Prasuram, Island, Vanchinad, Punalur and Malabar are the five express and super-fast trains which stop at Kazhakkottam at present. Apart this, one weekly super-fast to Chennai on Saturdays and four passenger trains also stop at Kazhakkottam, railway officials pointed out.