Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has formally raised a strong objection with the Union Railway Ministry over the omission of Thiruvananthapuram from a critical national infrastructure project. In a letter addressed to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the parliamentarian protested the city's exclusion from the list of 48 cities selected for doubling train service capacity under Indian Railways' ambitious 'Vision 2030' project.
A Surprising Omission for a Major Railway Hub
While welcoming the ministry's initiative to tackle congestion at major railway hubs across the country, Tharoor pointed out that leaving out Thiruvananthapuram was a glaring oversight. He emphasized the city's significant role in the railway network, stating that Thiruvananthapuram is the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division. This division is one of the six primary divisions under Southern Railway and manages an extensive network covering approximately 625 route kilometres.
"It is surprising that such a division headquarters is excluded from a development project of this nature," Tharoor remarked in his communication. He bolstered his argument by highlighting the city's administrative and economic stature, noting that as the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram contributes substantially to both the national exchequer and railway revenue, thereby deserving due consideration for such developmental plans.
Satellite Terminals and Persistent Parliamentary Demands
The MP outlined a clear solution to the existing congestion problems at Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC). He stressed that the development of satellite terminals, specifically at Nemom (proposed as TVC South) and Kochuveli (TVC North), is essential. Tharoor noted that these demands have been consistently raised in Parliament, indicating a long-standing local need for infrastructure expansion to manage passenger traffic efficiently.
He expressed a sense of partial satisfaction that Kochi found a place on the selected cities list. However, he termed the simultaneous exclusion of the state capital an "error that needs urgent correction." This contrast, he implied, makes the oversight regarding Thiruvananthapuram even more inexplicable.
An Urgent Call for Ministerial Intervention
In his concluding appeal, Shashi Tharoor urged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to personally look into the matter and ensure that Thiruvananthapuram is included in the strategic list for the Vision 2030 project. The letter frames the inclusion not just as a matter of regional parity but as a necessary step for the holistic development of the Southern Railway zone and for addressing the genuine infrastructure needs of a major capital city and railway divisional headquarters.
The move sets the stage for a potential review of the list, putting the spotlight on the criteria used for selecting cities under this high-capacity augmentation plan. The response from the Railway Ministry is now keenly awaited by stakeholders in Kerala.
