Pinarayi joins issue with Goyal over train service© timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Pinarayi joins issue with Goyal over train service

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Written by Shaju Philip | Thiruvananthapuram | Published: May 27, 2020 2:11:00 am

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. (File Photo) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the Railways sending trains to Kerala without prior information would undermine measures taken by the state to contain the spread of Covid-19. He said the issue had been brought to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Last week, after the Railways sent a train to Kerala from Mumbai without informing the state government about its stop in Kannur, the Chief Minister had written to Railways Minister Piyush Goyal saying the state must be informed in advance about such trains. “He was told that such a step would dent the steps being taken by the government to spread the disease. But, even after that, the Railways decided to send a train to Kerala from Mumbai. So this issue has been brought to the attention of the Prime Minister. It is a matter undermining our precautions,’’ he said.

The CM said the government is of the view that people from all areas should come back to the state but at the same time, strict rules must be adopted to prevent the spread of the disease.