Railway revises redevelopment deadlines for ERS, ERN stations

The deadline for completing the redevelopment of Ernakulam Junction (ERS) and Ernakulam Town (ERN) railway stations has been revised to March 2028 and December 2028 respectively, following re-tendering of the works.

The railway terminated the contracts of the relevant companies that did not comply with the project timelines. While the pending works at ERS were put out to tender again earlier this year, a similar process is ongoing for the ERN station. When the work started in August 2022, the initial redevelopment costs of ERS and ERN were ₹300 crore and ₹150 crore respectively, with August 2025 set as the deadline.

Redevelopment work at Ernakulam Town railway station continues on July 25. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Railway sources said the impasse over work at the two stations and the cumbersome procedures for re-tendering them would invariably lead to an increase in project costs. They said the pending construction work at ERN will continue in January 2027.

Meanwhile, the All Kerala Railway Users Association (KERUA) has demanded that the Railway ensure a safe and well-lit route for passengers and others from the entrance to the exit of the ERS. “It should also provide semi-permanent roofing so that they can use the space safely during monsoon. In addition, considering the difficulties faced by passengers and numerous fatal and other accidents due to inadequate platform height, it is time for the Railway to raise the height of low platforms at the station,” said Paul K J Manvettom, president of the association and member of Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC).

KERUA has also taken steps to improve amenities at the eastern entrance of both stations, considering that many residential areas in the city are located on the eastern side. “The railway appears to be focusing on the main entrance of the two stations on the west side and not looking at the potential for the second entrance on the east side. Platform 2 at the ERN, which faces the bottlenecked second entrance, should be extended up to the Ernakulam North overbridge. This will enable the construction of an overpass connecting the railway station with the adjacent Town Hall metro station. The length of the four platforms at the ERS should be increased as only Platforms 1 and 3 can currently accommodate all supplementary trains. This inability to allow trains outside the station led to his detention,” Mr. Manvettom said.

The passenger association also wants elevators and escalators to be installed on all platforms in the stations.

Forum request

Karithala Poura Samiti, comprising families residing near the eastern entrance of ERS, also demanded that the Railway should do justice to the eastern entrance of the station by making best use of the available space and the building owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). “It should be kept in mind that more than 35 families have surrendered their land to GCDA for development of the eastern entrance of the station. While the Railway is still reluctant to take over the building which GCDA had offered fifteen years ago for ₹ 10 crore, Platform 6 facing the eastern entrance has no roof,” Samiti secretary Viju Choolakkal said.