Railway poll getting poor response from techies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Emphasising the notion that techies lack social commitment, a Railway poll on upgrading the Kazhkkoottam railway station is getting a poor response. The online survey, being jointly conducted by Technopark authorities and Southern Railway, seeks the suggestion of techies on ways to upgrade the Kazhakkoottam railway station. Not even 5 per cent of the  techies have responded to the survey so far. The survey also seeks the suggestion of techies about the stops of trains at the station. The joint programme of the Southern Railway and Technopark authorities was planned for the mutual benefit of both. Discussions are progressing on the programme, as part of which  Technopark companies would sponsor upgradation of the railway station and the Railways, in turn, would allow stops for more trains at the station. According to a Railway official, only 3 per cent of the 30,000 Technopark employees have responded to the survey so far. “Now, more employees are participating in the poll. They are giving suggestions regarding the stops of trains on daily and weekly basis. Around 1,000 techies have participated till now,” he said. The CEOs of major companies in Technopark will soon meet to discuss the upgradation of the railway station. D S Abilash, HR administrator of Technopark, said the programme is meant to upgrade Kazhakkoottam railway station, which is even below ‘C’ Grade. “It requires waiting rooms, toilets and other facilities. Discussions about the sponsorship of upgradation works are progressing. The Railways are expected to allow stops for more trains at the station,” he said.  The online poll asks techies to give suggestions about the convenient arrival and departure time, weekend train stops, priority of trains, establishment of ticket counter and other facilities at the station.