Kollam MP N.K. Premachandran has said that modernisation of the Kollam railway station will be completed next year.
He was speaking after holding talks with the Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Prakash Bhutani and other top officers of the railway division here on Thursday.
The key component of the modernisation project is the second entry point to the station from the Craven LMS High School course along the Kollam-Thirumangalam National Highway 744 near Chinnakada. The entry point will comprise booking offices, parking space for vehicles, and a circuit area.
Foot overbridge
The existing entry point on the opposite side from the National Highway 47 will be linked to the second entry point through a foot overbridge connecting all platforms of the station. This work was progressing well, Mr. Premachandran said. A lift and an escalator would complement the foot overbridge.
The existing long-distance ticket booking office would be relocated with better amenities, Mr. Bhutani said. Railway officers along with Mr. Premachandran and Mayor V. Rajendrababu inspected the progress of the construction work.
During the meeting, the Mayor suggested that if the Railway authorities allotted land, the city Corporation would meet the expenses for constructing a multi-level vehicle parking complex. Mr. Bhutani said that if the Corporation submitted a formal proposal in this connection, it would be considered.
The railway authorities said that the proposal of the Corporation to protect and maintain the century-old China Palace on railway property at Chinnakada would be considered.
