No need for bifurcation of Palakkad Division: Acharia

Thiruvananthapuram, July 3 (UNI) Railway Parliamentary Committee Chairman Basudeb Acharia, MP, today said there was no need for bifurcation of Palakkad Division to create the new Salem Division in the Southern Railway.

Mr Acharia, who is on a two-day visit to the Thiruvananthapuram Division leading the 31-member standing committee, told reporters here economically and operationally, the Division was doing well.

He said if the Railways wanted to create another Division in Salem it should take some areas from the Chennai and Madurai Divisions.

If the Railways were going ahead with its plans, the area under Palakkad Division would reduce considerably as all areas from Tamil Nadu Region would go to the new Division, he pointed out.

Stating many Divisions were larger than the Palakkad Division, he said the committee would discuss the matter with the Railway Ministry.

Pointing out to 20,000 vacancies in the Railway Protection Force, he said the commitee would recommend the Ministry to fill them up at the earliest.

It would also ask the Ministry to modernise the force and impart training to its men in view of the frequent threats to the Railways.

Stating many staff members in safety and traffic sections were working beyond the duty hours due to staff shortage, he alleged outsourcing and privatisation were the main reasons for this 'peculiar situation.' Though the Railway had started the catering service in trains, the facility could not be enjoyed by the common people because of privatisation, he said alleging this move led to price increase and quality deterioration.

UNI