'I was the one who worked to bring the train; there is no point being jealous': Kodikunnil Suresh

KOLLAM: MP Kodikunnil Suresh has responded to the controversy over the introduction of a Vistadome coach on the Punalur-Guruvayur train. He said the coach became possible only because of his efforts to introduce the train service.

"What is wrong with what I said? I was the one who worked to introduce the Punalur-Guruvayur train. The Vistadome coach was introduced only because the train service was started. There is no point being jealous," Kodikunnil said in an indirect response to Kollam MP N.K. Premachandran.

He said his efforts were aimed at the welfare of the people and there was no reason for anyone to criticise them. He added that his sincere efforts had helped secure new train services for his constituency.

"The Punalur-Guruvayur train service was launched in 2013 when I was the Union Minister of State for Labour. The service was extended to Madurai in 2023. After the gauge conversion was completed that year, I put pressure on the Railways to extend the train to Madurai. The Railways accepted the proposals related to tourism," Kodikunnil said.

He also pointed out that the Vistadome coach would be attached to the Madurai-Guruvayur train. He said the coach would not have been introduced without the Guruvayur train service.

Meanwhile, N.K. Premachandran had also claimed that his intervention played a key role in bringing the Vistadome coach to Kerala. Kodikunnil was the first to announce the development on social media. Premachandran's subsequent response triggered the controversy.

The train with the Vistadome coach is scheduled to begin service on Thursday. The arrangement is expected to continue until January 16 next year.