Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution K.V. Thomas on Saturday said the Southern Railway had not abandoned the proposal to revive the Old Railway Station. He was addressing a press conference here.
Mr. Thomas said Southern Railway General Manager Rakesh Mishra had already clarified his statement, which gave the impression that the railway had discarded the proposal.
He said the railway was now of the opinion that it should be developed into a heritage station. A study needed to be conducted on how to go about it.
He said Mr. Mishra, who was in the city recently, had said that the revival of the Old Station was under the active consideration of the railway. The statements that came on behalf of the railway since then had not been discussed with people’s representatives including him, said Mr. Thomas, who intervened in the matter at the instance of the Chief Minister and the State Minister for Railways after reports said the revival plans had been dropped
The Minister held discussions with railway authorities on the revival of Old Railway Station and acquisition of land near south railway station in connection with the Kochi Metro Rail project. While the railway is positive about addressing these two issues, a decision has to be made on how to go about them. He said that at present there were no disputes.
A final decision on the matter is likely at a meeting to be attended by the Chief Minister on January 4. Mr. Thomas said it was important to preserve and develop the Old Railway Station.
