the goan I network
VASCO
South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar will pursue the growing demand for direct trains between Vasco and Kerala with the railways ministry, adding that a direct flight between Goa and Kochi could also begin soon.
Sawaikar was talking to reporters in Vasco during the launch of new compactors acquired by MMC.
“Under the Udaan scheme for the aviation sector by the Central government, a direct flight between Goa and Kochi could begin soon,” said Sawaikar.
“Regarding a demand for direct trains between Goa and Kerala, the matter has been taken up with the railways minister, but there are certain issues raised by the Railway Board and that is being sorted out. I am quite confident that the trains will start though it may take some time,” said Sawaikar.
The Federation of All Goa Malayalee Associations (FAGMA) had demanded a weekly or bi-weekly direct train service between Vasco and Thiruvananthapuram and a tri-weekly direct train between Vasco and Ernakulam.
FAGMA President T Ravishankar said a direct train between Vasco and Kerala could be beneficial to around 1 lakh Malayalees residing in Goa.
“Our demand for direct trains between Vasco and Kerala had been pending ever since the Konkan Railway became operational. We have since long given representations to all railway officials and the union railway minister. When Mamata Banerjee was then railway minister, she had cleared a direct train between Vasco and Cochin in Parliament.”
“We also got a letter from the railway ministry that the demand was approved and that, a train was sanctioned. But till date, operations have not commenced,” said Ravishankar.
