The commencement of train services to the renovated Harbour Terminus railway station will be delayed further as work on tracks, signalling and telecommunication equipment is suffering delay.
A month ago, the Railways had postponed the commencement of services to the station located in Willingdon Island from April 1 to mid-April to coincide with Vishu. “Efforts are now under way to commence train services at least from the month-end,” Railway sources said.
They attributed the delay to the inability in finalising work on tracks and in installing signalling and telecommunication equipment. Machinery that was expected to arrive from Chennai for fixing points on tracks was diverted elsewhere for “urgent” work. A major part of the work to renovate the station has been completed, while parking lots for vehicles will be developed based on demand from commuters.
On whether a rake (a train set) has been allotted to commence services to the station, a senior Railway official said a diesel electrical multiple unit (DEMU) rake was expected in the coming days. Only trains powered by diesel engine could call at the station since the Navy has objected to the electrification of the route.
Thousands of West Kochi residents will benefit if trains resume service to the station.
New route
“We are awaiting the feedback of people from the locality and West Kochi to finalise the new train’s route. The train is expected to call at the Harbour Terminus station in the morning and evening, while operating the rest of the trips from Ernakulam Junction station to neighbouring districts,” the official said.
Old Railway Station
On the inordinate delay in renovating tracks and the station building at the Old Railway Station (ORS) located behind the High Court of Kerala, the officials said the Railways was unable to begin work since the Kochi Corporation had not taken steps to evict and rehabilitate encroachers from the 40-acre station premises. “On our part, funds worth ₹4 crore have been sanctioned and a contractor entrusted to execute the works. But some of the encroachers have occupied the track and we are unable to replace old tracks.”
