The Thripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents Associations (TRURA) has submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Railways seeking stops for more express trains at Thripunithura.
In spite of the station providing a revenue of over ₹1 crore a month with the stops of only 16 trains, there is no consideration for making more trains stop at this busy suburban station, said V.P. Prasad, chairman of TRURA.
Railway officials in reply to an RTI application cited the proximity of Ernakulam Junction station, which is 9 km away, for not considering stops for more express trains at Thripunithura. However, the Railways allows stops both at Mavelikara and Kayamkulam, which are only 7.6 km apart. Mavelikara, in spite of having stops for 34 trains generates only ₹67.76 lakh as revenue, Mr. Prasad pointed out.
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According to him, the location of the Thripunithura station makes it a better stop for many people from eastern and southern parts of the district. The traffic woes to reach Ernakulam Junction from the eastern and southern areas make Thripunithura more appealing to the commuters.
TRURA has sought stops for the new Ernakulam-Velankanni Express besides Kerala Express, Sabari Express, Jayanthi Janatha Express and Malabar Express, which stops at Thripunithura only during one side of the journey.
The association has urged the Centre to develop the railway station with better amenities for the passengers.
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The TRURA has also submitted the memorandum to all the candidates contesting from Ernakulam in this regard.