Title - More trains unlikely to stop at Kalamassery

Kochi 18 November 2012

The sharp fall in freight movement from Kalamassery railway station is set to adversely affect the long-time demand for stopping more trains at this station.

Railways have been stating that it would take steps to allot stop for more trains in Kalamassery only if the earnings from here improved.

Sources in the railways said passenger earnings from this station were very low and therefore at least freight earnings from here should be high to allot stop for more trains.

"The freight movement from the station has declined sharply. Earlier the station used to handle 20 wagons every three days and 200 wagons per month. But last month it was almost nil," said a senior official at the station.

He said recommendation to allot stop for more trains here would be sent only if it becomes financially viable. "The facilities at the station are underutilized," he added. At present only two trains stop at this station.

There are demands to stop more trains at Edapally and Tripunithura stations. Though Union minister of state for civil supplies Mr. K V Thomas recently said that railways had agreed to allot stop for Vanchinadu Express at Edapally, railway officials said they had not received any communication in this regard from the headquarters.

Railways have been stating that it would take steps to allot stop for more trains in Kalamassery only if the earnings from here improved.