Railways will install 20 more escalators and 16 lifts in 11 key railway stations in the State and adjoining Nagercoil as part of a mission to provide convenient access to the elderly and differently abled rail users.
The escalators and lifts are in addition to the seven escalators functioning at four railway stations and one lift at the Chengannur railway station.
“Two escalators each in Thiruvananthapuram Central and Kottayam are undergoing trials, and 16 are under procurement,” Divisional Railway Manager Sunil Bajpai said.
Six escalators
With three more escalators, the number of escalators at the Central railway station will go up to six.
Two lifts sanctioned for the Central station are also getting ready for commissioning.
Lifts will be installed at Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Junction, Chengannur, Kollam Junction, and Nagercoil Junction (all two each), Ernakulam Town (one), and Thiruvananthapuram Central (three).
Work is under way at the 11 railway stations, Mr. Bajpai said.
Of the 27 escalators sanctioned for the division, three had been installed at Thiruvananthapuram Central, one at Chengannur, one at Ernakulam Town, and two at Ernakulam Junction stations.
Two escalators will be installed at Thrissur, one at Aluva, four more at Ernakulam Junction, one more at Ernakulam Town, two at Kottayam, one each at Chengannur, Alappuzha, and Kayamkulam, and two each at Kollam Junction and Nagercoil Junction.
Foot overbridges
For safe movement of people between platforms, two more foot overbridges will be installed at Thiruvananthapuram Central and Kochuveli terminal.
Another three foot overbridges have been sanctioned for Thrissur and Kottayam stations and the proposed second entry at Kollam.
Lightweight shelters have been provided at 14 railway stations.
Four bays
In addition, four bays of standard platform shelter have been provided at Ernakulam Junction.
Housekeeping services
On-board housekeeping service has been introduced on 12625/12626 Thiruvananthapuram Central-New Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram Central Kerala Express trains and 12643/12644 Thiruvananthapuram Central-Nizamuddin-
Thiruvananthapuram Central trains.
The aim is to ensure hygiene and cleanliness on trains.
The service will be introduced on another 25 trains, he said.
