Bhopal | There has been significant progress on the long-standing demand of the Malayalee community in Bhopal for the Kerala Express to be given a stoppage at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in both directions. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has forwarded the proposal to the Railway Ministry for technical verification. This information has been conveyed through a letter sent to Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi.

The demand has been raised for several years by Malayali organisations before the railway authorities and elected representatives. As part of the efforts, a signature campaign was also conducted and collected around 4,000 signatures, which were submitted to the then Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

AG Vallabhan, President of Bhopal Nair Samaj, said that the lack of a direct train service from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station to Kerala causes considerable inconvenience to the Malayali community. Most Kerala-bound trains have timings around midnight, which raises concerns regarding the safety and convenience of children, elderly passengers and women.

A stoppage of the Kerala Express at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station would provide significant relief to passengers living in New Bhopal, Mandideep and surrounding areas, enabling them to travel to Kerala more conveniently, safely and comfortably at the odd hours of the night.

He further said that following the technical verification, the Railway Ministry will approve the stoppage of the Kerala Express at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, keeping public interest and passenger convenience in mind.