Kerala's first Computerised Passenger Reservation counter, under the scheme allocated to MPs, will become functional at nearby Thrikkakkara Civil station from July 30, Union minister of state for Food and Public Distribution Consumer affairs, K V Thomas, today said. Since last year, MPs have been entitled to select a place in their constituency to set up the Counter. The minister, who is an MP from Ernakulam constituency, today held a meeting with railway officials, including Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Manager, Rajiv Dutt Sharma, Additional Divisional Manager, V Rajeevan, Chief Engineer, Jaykumar, on various railway development activities in Ernakulam. MLAs representing various constituencies in the district also participated. Thomas said Memu train service with Kollam as the base will operate between Kollam-Ernakulam on both directions via Alapuzha and Kottayam. The length of the nearby Kalamassery railway goods yard would be increased to 800 metres and railways would be upgrading basic facilties at an estimated cost of rs 20 crore at various stations in Ernakulam, Thomas said. The upgradation work would be taken up on a time bound manner, he said. On the water logging at Ernakulam railway junction station, he said the Kochi corporation and Railways will joint tackle the issue. There was also a proposal to lift tracks upto 26 inches (RPT) 26 inches. pti ud