The Indian Railways has revised the redevelopment deadlines for Ernakulam Junction (ERS) and Ernakulam Town (ERN) railway stations to March 2028 and December 2028, respectively. This decision comes after the re-tendering of the works, following the termination of contracts with the firms concerned due to their failure to adhere to project timelines. The redevelopment works at ERS were re-tendered earlier this year, while a similar process is underway for ERN station.
Initially, the redevelopment costs of ERS and ERN were estimated at ₹300 crore and ₹150 crore, respectively, with a deadline of August 2025. However, the stalemate over the works at the two stations and the cumbersome procedures associated with re-tendering them are expected to result in an escalation in project costs. The pending construction works at ERN will resume in January 2027, according to railway sources.
Meanwhile, the All Kerala Railway Users’ Association (KERUA) has demanded that the Railway ensure a safe and well-lit pathway for passengers and others from the entry to the exit of ERS. “It must also provide semi-permanent roofing so that they can safely use the stretch during the monsoon. In addition, it is high time the Railway raised the height of the low-lying platforms at the station, considering the difficulties faced by passengers and the numerous fatal and other accidents caused by the inadequate platform height,” said Paul K.J. Manvettom, president of the association and a member of the Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC).
The association has also sought steps to improve amenities at the eastern entry of both stations, considering that a large number of residential areas in the city are located on the eastern side. “The Railway seems focused on the main entry of the two stations on their western side, overlooking the potential of their second entry on the eastern side. Platform 2 at ERN, which faces the bottlenecked second entry, must be extended up to the Ernakulam North overbridge. This, in turn, will enable the construction of a skywalk linking the railway station with the adjacent Town Hall metro station.
At ERS, the length of four platforms must be increased, as only Platforms 1 and 3 can currently accommodate trains with the full complement of 25 coaches. This inadequacy has resulted in trains being detained at the outer of the station,” Mr. Manvettom said. KERUA has also demanded the installation of lifts and escalators at all platforms in the stations.
Additionally, the Karithala Poura Samiti, a collective of families residing near the eastern entry of ERS, has demanded that the Railway do justice to the station’s eastern entry by making optimal use of the available space and the building owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). “It must be kept in mind that more than 35 families surrendered their land to the GCDA for the development of the station’s eastern entry. The Railway is still reluctant to take over the building that the GCDA offered for ₹10 crore over a decade and a half ago, while Platform 6, which faces the eastern entry, does not have a roof,” said Viju Choolakkal, secretary of the Samiti.
