Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Anant Kumar Hegde on Tuesday said that there was a thought process to commission a skill development centre at Karwar to train local youths employed by the Railways.

He was speaking after inaugurating the service of diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) train between Shirwad railway station near Karwar and Pernem railway station in Goa.

“The Railways should employ locals for various vacant positions. We are thinking of commissioning the skill development centre at Karwar to help such people. I have discussed the issue with the Konkan Railway authorities,” he said.

On the demand to declare Gokarna Railway station as heritage station, he said: “Only old stations may be considered for the heritage tag. The Gokarna station came into existence about 12 years ago.”

“There is a thought process to link all tourist and religious centres in the district by train. We will come out with a plan to attract more people to Shirwad, Gokarna, Kollur,” he said.

MLA Roopali Naikl said that over 1,000 people visited Goa for employment purpose daily.

“The previous UPA government did not fulfil the demand of launching DEMU train between Shirwad and Pernem, despite submitting several memoranda. However, the NDA government launched the service,” she said.

Pernem is about 110 kilometres away from Shirwad.

The train leaves Shirwad railway station twice daily at 6 am and 1 pm and arrives in Pernem Railway station at 9.30 am and 4.30 pm.

In the return direction, it leaves Pernem Railway station at 9.40 am and 5.30 pm and arrives in Shirwad Railway Station at 12.30 pm and 8.30 pm.

The previous train had just three coaches, while DEMU train has 8 each with 84 sitting capacity. All coaches have bio-toilets.