Commuters have a harrowing time at Ernakulam Junction railway station as redevelopment works hit a dead end

With the ₹300-crore project to redevelop the Ernakulam Junction railway station (ERS) as a world-class station hitting a dead end, and just over 20% of the redevelopment works was completed ever since the works began in the last quarter of 2023, commuters who visit the station are having a harrowing time due to hurdles in the form of acute space constraints, waterlogging and undulations within the station premises.

The redevelopment project ought to have been completed by July end.

The stretch from the station’s entry gate to the temporary entrance that was hewed out to provide access to the platforms gets waterlogged even in a moderate downpour, with the result that commuters have to often wade through the dirty water, said Ramesh Mathew, a regular rail commuter. “The Railway is yet to act, although passenger associations had submitted memoranda early this year to the authorities concerned, demanding lessening of the extent of the space that was barricaded, so that more space is made available on the carriageway meant for vehicles coming to pick and drop commuters from the station.”

In addition, the carriageway must be raised and undulations cleared, while a temporary structure in the form of canopy must be erected so that commuters can safely walk along the stretch even during inclement weather. In addition, the Railway must take a cue from incidents of commuters slipping and falling on the platform of many redeveloped stations in Kerala and must hence use anti-skid tiles at stations like ERS that are being redeveloped, he added.

Apart from passenger bodies, residents’ associations and NGOs like the Ernakulam Vikasana Samity have over time been demanding steps to relocate vendors who had encroached upon the road beside the railway station and on roads that lead to the station, in order to ensure safe and smooth movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

The rampant encroachments and the shoddy condition of the railway station premises has in turn made it tough especially for auto and cab drivers who would have to frequent the station many times each day, said Siju, an auto driver, who also ferries commuters who book trips through online aggregator platforms. “It is also very difficult to identify passengers, due to the all round commotion in the limited space outside the barricaded portion.”

Having inspected the progress of redevelopment works at ERS and Ernakulam Town (ERN) stations last week, Hibi Eden MP and T J Vinod MLA sought steps to end the travails that commuters face at the station which is also among the top revenue generators for the Railway. The Railway must also fast track the re-tendering process for the pending redevelopment work, they said.

Responding to the concerns acknowledging the need to ensure safe and seamless movement of vehicles and pedestrians within the station, Railway sources said that the pending 80% of the work at the station would be re-tendered shortly. Steps will be taken to redress commuter concerns in this regard.