Title - Old Station on revival track

At last the Railways have lent ears to the pleas of the people. They have started sketching out plans for the revival of the Old Railway Station near the High Court. Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Rajesh Agarwal said that the station will be developed into a terminating hub of the Railways in Ernakulam. “Six platforms will function at the station. We hope to make it the terminus for MEMU trains arriving and departing to Thrissur and the Northern regions. A platform will be exclusively set aside for MEMU trains,” Rajesh Agarwal said. He said the railway line near the Tata building will be doubled to ensure more rail capacity. “The station needs a major revamp. Steps are being taken at the Central level in this regard. A `100-crore proposal for renovation of the station was made to the Centre last week. Besides, three pit lines at the station will be constructed and the old railway tracks renovated. However, the DRM admitted that the station won’t be able to  cater to the MEMU services of Kottayam or Alappuzha.

 Meanwhile, Mayor Tony Chammany and Hibi Eden MLA has asked the Railways to inform the Corporation prior to the eviction of the 20 families living at the Old railway station premises. “As per the interim order of the Court the evictees should be properly rehabilitated. We need time for the rehabilitation process and hence the Railways should give us prior notice,” the Mayor said.

 A joint inspection of the area will be held soon.