'Convert old station into a hub for suburban trains'

September 18, 2011 09:59 am | Updated 09:59 am IST - KOCHI:

The Ernakulam Railway Goods station (old railway station) situated behind the Kerala High Court should be renovated and converted into a hub for suburban trains, P. Rajeev, MP, has said. This could also be used as a multi-mode interchanging hub for urban transport.

Mr. Rajeev was addressing reporters here on Saturday.

Trains could call at the station once the station building was renovated and railway lines lying north-east of it were repaired and electrified.

“The benefits will be manifold. Apart from reducing congestion on the city roads, this will also reduce congestion at the main railway stations in Ernakulam. More passenger services can be operated from the old railway station to nearby districts,” he said. The Railways will be able to begin mainline electrical multiple unit (MEMU) services from here to Palakkad, Shornur and Thrissur.

Mr. Rajeev also called upon the Railways to develop the underutilised Harbour Terminus railway station in Willingdon Island, and to extend the line up to Mundamveli. The section should be electrified as well. This would enable the extension of suburban services to these areas, in turn, reducing the congestion on the roads leading to West Kochi. This would also help tourists, he said.

He expressed dismay at the Railways not developing the Ernakulam Junction station into a world-class station, despite promises made in several Railway budgets. “The works promised should be carried out in a time-bound manner. The Railways should also take over the GCDA building on the station's eastern entry.”

To prevent using many lines simultaneously for shunting operation at the station, the agency could develop a triangular station near the KSRTC bus stand, where land was available. Another option would be to build a new line from Tripunithura to Thirunettoor. Thus, trains coming from Kottayam could be diverted to this route and engine changing could be avoided. This would save time, free at least two lines at a time and all trains from Alappuzha and Kottayam would be able to stop at both the main stations in Ernakulam. He also demanded passenger trains from Ernakulam to Kottayam and Alappuzha at 8.30 p.m. since there were very few trains to these places after dusk.

Halts

Mr. Rajeev said that 14 pairs of trains did not have stop at the Aluva station, despite the station being the gateway to the high ranges, and earning an annual income of Rs.30 crore.

“The Tripunithura station can be developed as an outstation from the southern side. All trains should stop here and at Kalamassery on an experimental basis, when work on the Kochi metro rail begins and commuting to the city would become tougher.”

The Kalamassery station should be upgraded as a outstation in the city's north — considering its proximity to Kakkanad. The Railways should also use the now unused land owned by the Naval Armament Depot, he said.

He demanded to construct an overbridge linking the Container Terminal Road, and the proposed extension to Seaport-Airport Road.

Earlier, he interacted with representatives of railway passenger associations, residents associations, traders, and different forums for railway development.

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