Out of the proposed funds, more than Rs 17 crore will be spent on the first phase of expansion, which include an additional platform and washing pit at the terminus at a cost of Rs 3.44 crore. The minister also said the length of the platforms would be extended to accomodate 24-26 coach trains. Naik announced that the Ratnagiri Express will be made superfast from November 11.

The minister also called for suggestion of names to be given to the new train from the public within 10 days. A complimentary pass in the AC 2-tier class from Mumbai to Varanasi and back will be awarded to the person and family whose suggestion is accepted.

Expressing concern over the decrease in punctuality of trains on the Central Railway during the past fewmonths, the minister said that he had called an emergency meeting of Principal Heads of Department of Central Railway yesterday to discuss the situation. Naik claimed that an intensive campaign to improve the punctuality of the services would be launched within 15 days.

Speaking on the occassion, Member of Parliament Gurudas Kamat stressed the need to run special trains to Kerala and Orissa during festival seasons. He also demanded that pantry cars be provided in all trains running more than 800 kilometres. He suggested that the Kurla terminus be named after Dr B R Ambedkar.