The 81-year-old tile-roofed building located on the premises of the Kannur railway station has been in a state of neglect over the past many years and the need for its renovation now acquires urgency as a portion of it has collapsed in heavy rain the other day.
The vintage building that houses the Railway Institute, a facility for the recreation of nearly 600 railway employees in railway stations between Payyannur and Mahe, is now closed after its southern portion caved in on June 11.
In 1934
The building constructed in 1934 for the recreation of railway officers and engineers during the British rule could hardly withstand the lack of proper maintenance over the past several years.
In those days, railway officials used the building as their officers’ club and for screening films.
The historically important building has suffered serious damages at a time when efforts are on to revive the recreational and cultural events of the institute over the past one-and-a-half year.
“The institute was re-opened 18 months ago after it was closed for 13 years because of various reasons,” says Station Master S. Sajith Kumar, who is the secretary of the institute.
Collapse
The collapse of a portion of the building could not have come at a most inopportune time as the institute was preparing for the initiation of the first batch of railway staff trained in ‘chenda’ performance conducted under the aegis of the institute.
The institute had also postponed the launch of the blood donors’ forum of railway staff formed under the institute, Mr. Kumar said.
The Railway Institute located in major stations today conduct arts, cultural, and sports events for railway staff and families.
“The building’s renovation is important because of its heritage value,” said Kannur Station Manager M.K. Shailendran. The building had been constructed when the track laying works were on in the area, he added.
Sources in the railway station said that lack of maintenance was the cause of the collapse of part of the building.
Restoration works
Urgent restoration works have to be started to protect the existing facilities there from destruction, they said adding that further exposure to the monsoon showers would further damage the structure and its amenities.
