The enthusiasm over its recent revival notwithstanding, the proposal for a railway station at Nedumbassery has been shelved for want of government support.
Railway officials said that the project would not be taken up on a priority basis as it was yet to get a nod from the State government to close down the level crossing at Kariyad. “A sanction for closing down the railway crossing was a pre-condition to establish the facility, which we are yet to receive and it has been shelved for the time being”, said P.L. Asok Kumar, Area Manager, Ernakulam.
Contrary to recent reports that the project has been revived, the official held that they had only taken up the proposal for a reconsideration. “The sanction and funds earmarked for the project have been withdrawn. Now, we will have to begin right from scratch, get the nod and funds all over again before reviving it”, he said.
The proposal had its origin during the tenure of O.Rajagopal as Union Minister. The proposal was dropped later citing technical and financial unviability. The idea was revived in December 2010 when E.Ahamed, the then Union Minister of State for Railways, announced that Rs.93 lakh had been earmarked for the project and laid its foundation stone later that year.
However, no work has been done on it ever since.
The project envisages establishing two rail level platforms to accommodate 24 coaches, and a ticket booking office along the Ernakulam-Thrissur railway line under the Railway Over Bridge near here.
According to CIAL officials, the establishment of the station may provide an easy way in for air passengers from the city while also enhancing the access for cargo consignments.
