Look at the sad state of Ernakulum Old Railway station. The history of modern Kochi starts from this small but beautiful station built during the British rule using red stone. Recently the Southern Railway submitted a proposal to revive the station to link MEMU services. But any commercial project will destroy the heritage beauty of the zone. Moreover, law does not permit any large scale development near the protected “Mangalavanam” zone. We Kochiites want this station to be developed into a Rail museum depicting the development history of Kochi. Ernakulam main land lacks a good museum. So, preserve the Old Railway Station and declare it as a national heritage monument.
—Ebenser Chullikkatt, Kochi.
Mayor Tony Chammany
The Ernakulam Terminus is one of the first railway stations in the city of Cochin. Built by the then Maharaja of Cochin, this glory of the past was once the only railway station for the Cochin urban region. Gandhiji, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore had used this railway station. In the course of time the Ernakulam Terminus lost its importance and ceased to function as an active railway station. The building on the premises of this station is now defunct. The beautiful structures are in a dilapidated condition and the area abandoned. The premises which housed the first railway station of this city need to be preserved and I firmly believe it is highly important that a conservation plan be designed to revive the station without disturbing the ecological balance of the surrounding ecosystem. Long back, the Kochi Corporation had submitted a letter to the railways seeking their support to protect and conserve the old railway station and its premises. In reply the railways assured that they would do the needful and would assign their Heritage Wing to look into the matter.
I would also like to bring to your kind notice the new proposal mooted by the Railway to revive the Old Railway Station and develop it into a MEMU hub. The railway has sought our help to evict and rehabilitate the families who have encroached upon the old railway station premises. If the railways takes up this proposal, then the Ernakulam Terminus will remain as a Living Heritage. Wouldn’t that be a better option?
If water transport facility is developed more in Kochi it will be of some help in finding a solution to the traffic problems. Canals/waterways that can be easily be utilised for starting boat services may be considered by the authorities concerned. The possible routes are – High Court Jetty; Bolghatty to Edappally through Varappuzha; Elamakkara to Thevara through Perandoor Canal.
—Mohan Mangattusseril, S. Chittoor
District Collector Sheikh Pareeth
A boat service from Vyttila Mobility Hub to Infopark Kakkanad will be introduced very soon.
First of all, people prefer speeder boats these days. A detailed study has to be undertaken before planning boat services through waterways and canals. Most of the canals are not deep enough and also side of the canals have to be strengthened, which will be an expensive task. We had started a boat service from Thoppumpady to Kakkanad earlier but somehow it had to be stopped.
And from some of the places mentioned in the question, people have to walk certain distance to reach nearest bus stops; this will not be preferred by the public.
The traffic signaling system being followed at Madhava Pharmacy-M.G. Road Junction is functioning well. Can a similar system be introduced at the Apollo Tyres Junction, Kalamassery also? Now all the vehicles coming from Aluva side towards Ernakulam have to wait for the signal.
—Unnikrishnan. V., Anchumuri.
City Police Commissioner, K.G. James
We are planning to introduce a series of traffic modifications in the city as part of Road Safety Awareness programme. As part of these drives, we plan to introduce traffic signal system at Apollo Tyres Junction, Kalamassery similar to the system functioning at Madhava Pharmacy-M.G. Road Junction shortly.
