RailEnquiry

Residents in Tripunithura are on a warpath alleging that Railway authorities have failed to keep their word that halts will be allowed for more express trains at Tripunithura Railway Station. Despite the promise, the proposal was not included in the new Railway timetable, which came to effect on July 1. According to the residents, authorities had promised halts for Parasuram Express, Island Express and Kerala Express at Tripunithura. “Now, people have been depending on North Railway Station as not much trains have halts at Tripunithura. Though the authorities are aware of the inconvenience caused owing to this, they are not willing to take any action in this regard. Though ticket revenue of the station is much higher than that of Karunagapally and Mavelikara stations, almost all express trains have halts there. Despite this, the authorities are reluctant to allow halts for a few more trains here,” said V P Prasad, chairman, Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents Association (TRURA). Prasad alleged that the Railways are negligent about the developments of the station. “Though authorities have promised to upgrade the station to the status of an ‘adharsh’, no concrete steps have been taken in this regard,” he added. “The total seating capacity of the station must be increased to 160 from the current 60. Moreover, special facilities for physically challenged, toilets at all platforms, roof over platforms and drinking water supply must be ensured. It seems like the authorities are least interested in implementing the development works,” said TRURA secretary V C Jayendran. Though authorities have claimed that a tarred road to the station will be ready before the monsoon, there is no progress in this regard too, Jayendran said. “The issues include lack of lighting arrangements and inadequate staff at ticket counters. Now, the station master has to issue tickets and regulate the movement of all trains simultaneously. Also, the station has no waiting room as it is always locked,” they added. Meanwhile, Railway Area Manager P L Ashok Kumar said the development work of the station will be conducted soon. “As of now, we are not conducting any development works. The railway station will be upgraded to an adharsh station soon and discussions are on in this regard,” he said.