Kerala will get its first Vande Bharat Express train on 25 April. The semi-high-speed train will run between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. However, initially it has been decided to operate it between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur. It is reported that the people of Kerala are happy with the arrival of Vande Bharat Express in their state. In fact, Shashi Tharoor tweeted and expressed happiness over the commencement of Vande Bharat Express route in Kerala and its extension till Kasargod. The politician cited the entire exercise as ‘Beyond Politics’. He also evinced his interest in attending the flagging off ceremony of the train.
Suggesting remembering my tweets from 14 months ago #VandeBharat Trains to Kerala. pleasure to @Ashwini Vaishnav That’s all I’ve done. eager to participate @narendramodiFlagging off the first train from Thiruvananthapuram on 25th. progress should go beyond politics https://t.co/fAOO0qkXsd— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 19, 2023
Shashi Tharoor quoted, “Recalling my tweet fourteen months back suggesting #VandeBharat trains to Kerala. Glad @ashwinivaishnav has done just that. Looking forward to flagging off @narendramodi ‘s first train from Thiruvananthapuram on 25th. Progress should go beyond politics.
Following the Congress-UDF demand to extend Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express train up to Kasaragod, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Tuesday confirmed that the Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur Vande Bharat Express, the first semi-high speed train in God’s Own Country , also cover Kasaragod. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the train on April 25, 2023. He said the decision was taken following a request from Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan. Initially the train was planned to run between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur.
“Kerala’s first Vande Bharat Express has been extended up to Kasargod,” PTI quoted Vaishnav as saying. The minister also said that the railways is going to upgrade the tracks in Kerala in two phases. Under Phase I, Rs 381 crore has been sanctioned to convert the entire track from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram to 110 kmph speed capability. He said that this would be done within a year and a half.
He said the second phase, which would involve straightening of curves and other necessary adjustments, would take two to three-and-a-half years to complete and after that, the speed capability of the track would be increased to 130 kmph. ,
Thiruvananthapuram is an important urban area with many smaller sub-cities surrounding it. Vaishnav said that discussions were held with the state government to improve the connectivity of the area. Efforts are also being made to decongest the Thiruvananthapuram station.
The minister also said that till now only one Vande Bharat Express has been allocated to Kerala, many more will be started in future.
Earlier, the Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala urged the Union Railway Ministry to extend the route of the proposed Vande Bharat Express in the state to Mangalore station in Karnataka, so that the people of Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala, could also benefit from it. .
In a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly VD Satheesan sought route expansion to ensure “overall high-speed railway connectivity in the state”.
“Please note that Kasaragod is part of the existing railway system in the state and could have been seamlessly included in the existing route of the Vande Bharat Express without any pain. Leaving out the northern district of Kasaragod would be considered a gross injustice to the people there.” Is.” Kasaragod,” the LOP said.
Satheesan also pointed out that Kasaragod was a district in Kerala with limited railway reach and a lot needed to be done to bring it at par with other districts in the state.