Kochi: The Ernakulam Junction railway station will be developed into international standards by next year when a new four-storey swanky building will be set up with all modern facilities similar to airport.
The Southern Railway headquarters at Chennai is expected to give nod soon for the Rs 470-crore Detailed Project Report submitted by KITCO (Ker-ala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation) and to be implemented by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC).
“The preliminary assessment of the DPR is over and headquarters is expected to give sanction in a month’s time so that the work can be started by April. The construction activities are expected to be completed by 2020 end,” sources said.
As per the plan, the first two-stories will feature all passenger amenities similar to that of airport while the top two floors will have shops, café’s, hotels, fast food restaurants, multiplex and other commercial outlets.
“A 15- counter booking office will be set up in the first floor where passengers can avail services like Information about train operations, reservation, bookings and current bookings among others. The second floor will feature facilities like high end passenger waiting area, clock room and clean and hygienic toilets. The third floor will have various commercial outlets while top floor will feature lounges and video-games zone among others,” they said.
A multilevel parking facility, having space to accommodate over 100 cars, will also be set up near the station entrance.
“The construction activities will be carried out in three stages. The station won’t be closed completely. Rather it will be divided into three sections and the works completed in three phases,” the sources said.
A wakway will be constructed connecting the South Metro station with the first floor of the new building. A high-end walkway will also be set up to providing commuters seamless connectivity from Ernakulam bus station and the upcoming Kochi Metro station with the South railway station.
Ernakulam station is among the 10 other stations across the country to be developed into international standards by 2020 end.
