Improving the infrastructure at Tripunithura railway station and making it a connecting point between the eastern part of the district and Idukki, which is not connected by a rail route, were among the demands represented in a memorandum that was submitted to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday.
The president and the convenor of Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents’ Association (TRURA), V.P. Prasad and V.C. Jayendran, in a letter, had called for allowing stops for more trains at Tripunithura.
The Association stated that while Karunagappally and Mavelikkara stations had stops for 36 and 30 trains respectively, Tripunithura had stops for only 14. But Tripunithura provided more revenue for the Railways than the other two stations, the statement said. The earnings in July 2014 was Rs. 77.51 lakhs, it said.
The Association also demanded better facilities at the station to cater to the large number of people using it.
An additional platform would be of immense use for commuters, besides roofing of existing platforms and an additional foot overbridge.
Surfacing and lighting of the existing parking area and an extension of the parking area was required to cater to the burgeoning numbers of vehicles that were being parked, they said.
“More counters round the clock for ticket reservation and additional staff are required at the station besides more waiting rooms and seating facility for passengers on platforms,” the Association said.
