Development of amenities at Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations and suburban stations has taken a back seat.
The decade-old promise of converting Ernakulam Junction station into one of international standards remains on paper. Many smaller stations in suburbs and nearby districts do not even have foot overbridges.
Not all platforms at the two major stations and those in the suburbs have roofs. Railway has been citing fund crunch as a reason for not installing roof on the sixth platform in Ernakulam Junction. Most platforms at stations in the district do not have adequate number of seats and drinking water either.
Development of passenger amenities, including more number of ticket counters, is crucial for more trains stopping at stations in the suburbs such as Tripunithura, Edappally and Kalamassery.
Railway has allotted nominal funds in the budget for Venduruthy rail overbridge, Tirunetoor overbridge, Eroor overbridge, for constructing additional pitline and stabling lines at Ernakulam and for sourcing water from Muvattupuzha river for Ernakulam coaching complex.
