The Southern Railway has not allotted a diesel rake to link Ernakulam with nearby districts, though renovation work is over at the Harbour Terminus (HT) railway station where the train was to terminate.
Work to replace tracks and renovate the station in Willingdon Island had got over several months ago. “We are expecting a diesel electrical multiple unit (DEMU) rake to operate from here to neighbouring districts, where there is whopping demand during morning and evening peak hours. The renovated HT station can be formally inaugurated only after the DEMU rake arrives. Prior to that, the route and stops will have to be finalised,” said a high-ranking Railway official.
The Railways had promised the extension of a few services to HT station from March 31, 2017. Only diesel trains can operate in the Ernakulam-HT station corridor since the Navy is opposed to overhead electric lines on the stretch owing to proximity to the Naval airport. In view of the low patronage for MEMU that operates within Ernakulam district, the Railways might extend it to the nearby districts to decongest highways and to provide commuters a fast mode of transport.
According to P. Krishnakumar, general secretary of Thrissur Railway Passengers’ Association, there is acute paucity of trains from Thrissur to Ernakulam between 7.15 a.m. and 9.35 a.m., despite a whopping demand. “A DEMU service from Thrissur at 8 a.m. would be of considerable help to commuters. The existing MEMU train too must be extended to Thrissur. Both trains will also fill the void during evening peak hours when inadequate services and late running of trains result in women and other passengers reaching home late,” he said.
In case DEMU suffers delay, a couple of diesel trains operating through Konkan or to places like Rameshwaram and Nilambur and end service at the congested Ernakulam Junction railway station could be extended to HT. This will in turn enhance the yard capacity at Ernakulam Junction, speeding up train movement.
Old Railway Station
The Railways are also found wanting in renovating the Old Railway Station located behind the High Court of Kerala. The facility too holds tremendous potential to decongest stations in the city hub. Old Railway Station Vikasana Samiti general convener K.P. Harihara Kumar said that any further delay in renovating the station would lead to the 40-acre premises falling into wrong hands.
“Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL) has arrayed it as one among the four projects that can be executed by pooling funds from the State and the Railways. A few families that have encroached upon the premises must be rehabilitated by the Kochi Corporation. On its part, the Railways, which have unloaded sleepers for track replacement, must also electrify the 1.30-km-long line linking Pachalam with the station,” he said.
