Old Railway Station to be cleared of encroachments

Revenue officials have begun a survey to ascertain the extent of encroachments at the Old Railway Station (ORS), which is expected to be renovated into a hub for suburban trains.

The survey is likely to get over this week. “We will initiate action to evict the 30-odd families which encroached up on Railway land based on the survey report and sketch provided to us,” a senior Railway official said.

With the Railways earmarking funds to renovate the station, the Kochi Corporation had agreed to rehabilitate the families. “Preliminary measures for this will be taken soon. We need to find a funding source and this will most probably be raised from ‘our own funds’,” said Mayor Soumini Jain.

On its part, the Railways has collected field data like the number of level crossings, minor bridges that have to be built in between the station and Ernakulam North Railway Station. The Railways’ engineering wing would also have to strengthen a few bridges.

Level crossings

Three manned level crossings will have to be built, one at Pachalam, another at the track that takes a diversion to a private mill and the third one near the railway colony located next to the station’s 40-acre premises. “We have sent all relevant details to the Southern Railway headquarters in Chennai and are awaiting approvals for estimates”, Railway sources said.

Apart from renovating a platform and the station building, the existing signal systems would have to be revamped. Though the tracks are largely intact, damaged stretches will need to be replaced.

The immediate plan is to ready the infrastructure to host the diesel EMU (DEMU) train that operates multiple trips on the Angamaly-Piravom stretch. Another DEMU might follow suit, linking the city with suburban towns.

The station was commissioned in 1902 and was abandoned when trains began calling at Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations.

Harbour terminus

Apart from the ORS, the Railways had approved the renovation of the Harbour Terminus station as well, to decongest Ernakulam Junction and Town stations.

The station building, platform and signals have to be revamped. “Cabling is underway to restore signals. Tenders will be floated shortly for rest of the works,” Railway sources said.

Both the stations had railway yards to repair and maintain trains. “Redeveloping these amenities will require heavy investment and can be thought of in the long run,” they said.

Samithi’s concern

The Old Railway Station Vikasana Samithi has, in the meantime, deplored the delay in resuming train operations to the two terminal stations despite the Union Railway Ministry sanctioning the renovation project.

“A few trains being diverted to the stations will speed up train movement through Ernakulam. Sadly, this does not find mention in the manifesto or agenda of candidates in the fray for Assembly polls. Any further dilly dallying will result in prime lands getting into the hands of real-estate agents,” warned K.P. Harihara Kumar, general convener.

Old Railway Station to be cleared of encroachments

Apart from renovating a platform and the station building, the existing signal systems would have to be revamped. Though the tracks are largely intact.