Additional revenue of Rs 424.16 crores; Despite constant neglect, Kerala plays major role in generating profits for Railways

KOZHIKODE: There aren't enough trains in the state to keep up with the influx of passengers. Yet, Kerala contributes significantly to the Railways' annual revenue. The Railways earned a revenue of Rs 1576.16 crores from Palakkad division and Rs 2149.89 crores from Thiruvananthapuram in the financial year 2023-24. Rs 3726.05 crores in total. The total revenue from Kerala was Rs 3301.89 crore in 2022-23.

In the last financial year, these two divisions generated an additional revenue of Rs 424.16 crores from freight transportation and fares. Thiruvananthapuram is leading in terms of travel revenue. It has generated Rs 226.24 crore more when compared to last year.

There has been a huge rise in the number of passengers on trains with reservations, trains without reservations and suburban trains. However, these trains don't have the amenities that should be there. Officials are not interested in implementing the sanctioned ones on time.

Railways attributed the increase in revenue to higher fares and the introduction of higher-fare trains, including Vande Bharat. The Vande Bharat train in Kerala is the best performing one among all Vande Bharat trains in the country.

Coming to freight transportation, the Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad divisions generated a revenue of Rs 892.95 crores through transportation of goods such as coal, cement and rice. This means that the Railways generated an additional revenue of Rs 15.2 crores when compared to the previous year. Rs 122.53 crore was also generated from other items.

Mere promises

• The Railways had promised that more trains would be run in the state this year after completing the curve straightening and new signal system. However, the work which started in 2022 is dragging on.
• Modernization of the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and the provision of more facilities at Nemom and Kochuveli remain distant dreams
• The other day, Kerala Kaumudi had reported on the ploy of the officials to deny the third Vande Bharat to the state
• Promises of adding more coaches in crowded passenger trains in Malabar and running more MEMUs are yet to be fulfilled