Kerala - Kochi   

Plan to develop old Ernakulam station

Kochi: The Railways on Wednesday informed the Kerala High Court that it plans to carry out various development projects such as setting up a Railway Medical College, Para Medical College and Suburban railway terminal at its property near Mangalavanam in the Kochi city.

In an affidavit filed in response to a writ petition seeking to prevent the non-forest activities undertaken by the Railways in its property, the Ernakulam Railways Area Manager K. George John said that the existing building near the Mangalavanam was the terminus building of the Railways where Mahatma Gandhi had arrived during a visit to the State.

The Railways was always aware of the historical importance of the station. In fact, it had made various proposals for development of the old railway station.

The good shed at the old railway station was now used by the Railway Electrical Engineering organisation and the Construction department and Open Line Engineering Department for stocking their articles.

The Railways had plans to start a suburban railway service from here to Aluva. The travelling time of public could be reduced by 20-25 minutes if such a train service was started.

The existing rail and platform could be modified with minimum cost to operate suburban train services. It could build additional platform and other infrastructural facilities without resorting to land acquisition.

The Railways was committed to maintain ecology and had not felled any trees. The allegation that the Railways was destroying the greenery of the areas was false.

The affidavit was filed in response to a writ petition filed by the Lawyers Environmental Awareness Forum (LEAF) seeking to prevent destruction of forests in and around Mangalavanam.

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