RailEnquiry

Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Kozhikode Railway Station is all set to achieve yet another landmark, in terms of making travel more comfortable for passengers.

In a few weeks’ time, three lifts will become operational on the Kozhikode railway station premises, connecting four platforms, giving Kozhikode the distinction of being the first station in the state to set up such a facility.

 The civil work related to the service lift at the first platform has already been completed and work is in progress on the second and fourth platforms.

 Senior engineers of the Electricity Department in Palakkad division have inspected the work on the first service lift.

 Sources said that the lift would be brought from Chennai after making the required modifications as directed by the electrical engineer.

 “After installation of the lifts, clearance from the Safety Inspectorate is needed before they can be commissioned.

 Hopefully, the three service lifts can be commissioned by the end of this month or by the first week of March,” a senior official told Express.

 The capacity of each lift will be 13 persons and passengers will be able to operate it on their own.

 The `84.

95 lakh project was sanctioned more than two years ago as part of the scheme to upgrade the railway station to international standards but got delayed due to various issues, including delay in the allotment of funds.

 Once commissioned, the lift will be a major relief for senior citizens and physically-challenged persons, who presently face tremendous difficulties in accessing the platforms, especially during peak hours.

 Meanwhile, officials maintained that the authorities have given sanction to the `1.

4 crore escalator project connecting all the platforms.

 The construction of platform shelters on platform I at the Shoranur-end is also in progress.