RailEnquiry

ochi: Looks like the repeated pleas of the Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents’ Association have fallen on deaf ears.

The association had written to the authorities concerned to set up the proposed terminal station of Kochi metro at the town. Irked by the apparent silence of the higherups, the residents of the satellite town are now planning protest measures if their demand is not taken seriously.

“Petta has been decided as the terminal station of Kochi Metro in the first phase. But the place does not have the space to accommodate the required basic facilities like station-cum-commercial complex, parking area and loco service station.

As it’s thickly populated, largescale eviction and rehabilitation will have to be done”, said V.P. Prasad, chairman, Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents’ Association in his letter to CM Oommen Chandy.

If the Metro rail is extended two km towards east to Tripunithura from the proposed station site, space and other requirements can be easily met, the letter points out.

“The Steel Authority of India Ltd has 14 acres near Tripunithura railway station of which up to 10 acres are unutilised. Besides, unused fields are also availa ble nearby”, said secretary V.C. Jayendran.