Title: Demanded re-building of the bridge over Kadalundi river in South Kerala and restore normal train service there which has been affected due to the train accident on 22 June, 2001.
: Sir, through you, I wanted to bring to the notice of the House a great human tragedy which has taken place in Kodalundi of Koshikode district, when a Mangalore-Chennai Mail plunged into the Kadalundi river on 22.6.2001. This human tragedy has taken the toll of 52 human lives and left nearly 250 persons severely injured. On the 14th of July, the hon. Minister of Railways, Shri Nitish Kumar convened a meeting at Trivandrum in which all the Members of Parliament from Kerala took part. At that time, it was assured by the Minister as well as by the Railway authorities that the rail traffic which has been disastrously disrupted because of this tragedy would be restored by 31st July, that is yesterday. But now, in a very irresponsible manner the Southern Railways have come out with a statement that it will not be able to restore it even by the second week of September. Because of this disruption of rail traffic, the northern part of Kerala is completely cut off from the rest of the country. Inspite of the assurance given by the Minister only very skeletal alternative arrangements are made.… (Interruptions) Onam is going to be celebrated in the last week of August. It is the most important festival of Kerala. The Malyalee people living elsewhere will not be able to come to the State for Onam. We want alternative arrangements be made on a war footing, besides repairing the Kadalundi bridge.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Madam, please wind up. There are other Members also who want to speak.
* Not Recorded
… (Interruptions)
SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN (CALICUT): Sir, I wish to raise a very important matter.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Do you mean to say that the notices given by other Members are not important?