"Garib Raths" to all state capitals soon: Lalu

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 30 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today announced the start of ''Garib Rath'', the poor people's train, to Kerala capital from New Delhi in two months time and stated that such trains would be provided to all state capitals in the near future.

''Kerala will be provided a fully air conditioned Gharib Rath in two months. The poor people like others will be able to avail the fully air conditioned travel,'' he said while commissioning the Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram electrification line.

The fares in the ''Garib Rath'' would be 40 per cent less than the third class fares and would have both sitting and sleeper classes.

On upgrading certain stations to world class terminals, he said all central and metro stations would be upgraded to world class terminals through public/private partnership.

''The process is on and global tenders will be called soon,'' he said.

Stating that the ''Third Corridor'' for goods' trains was in the offing, he said the Ludhiana-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai stretches would be taken up in the first phase and in the second phase it would be between Mumbai-Chennai and Chennai-Howrah.

Mr Lalu also announced starting new outlets for farmers in the stations to cater to the farming community.

''The farmers are not getting the due price for their products and these outlets will help the farmers in a great deal,'' he said.

He also announced that the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari and Thrissur-Guruvayoor electrification would be take up soon.

Noting that the availability of land was a major problem for development of railways in the state, he asked the state's leadership to sort out the land problem.

He also condemned the execution of former Iraq President Saddam Hussein.

'' He was a great friend of India. It is bad for all of us. The Rashtriya Janata Dal strongly condemns the execution,'' he said.

Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu, who was also present, said the Quilon-Punaloor narrow gauge would be converted to meter gauge next year bringing Kerala completely under uniguage system.

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan said more trains were needed for the state, as people from Kerala were spread all over the country.

Mr Lalu also laid the foundation stone for Kochuveli second terminal (second phase) and modernisation and expansion of Thiruvananthapuram railway station.

Members of Parliament, MLAs and railway officials were present on the occasion.

UNI PN AJ SSC PM2005