Kochi: In some good news for those staying in West Kochi, the Southern Railways has fast-tracked renovation of the Harbour Terminus station at Willingdon Island and aims to launch ‘Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU)’ services in the Harbour Terminus-Ernakulam South section by April 2017.
“We wanted to electrify the section and held talks with the Navy on Tuesday in a last ditch effort to get its nod. However, they continued to oppose the electrification. We have now decided to operate diesel rakes in the section by April 2017 and hastened the works to meet the target,” Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Prakash Bhutani said after visiting various project sites being developed as part of setting up a sub-urban railway network.
A meeting has been scheduled on August 15 involving top divisional authorities and all the local MLAs concerned, the Mayor, the district collector and Ernakulam MP K.V. Thomas among others to address local issues such as obtaining sanction for Vathurthy underpass project and faster completion of Atlantis RoB project among others.
“Currently the CHTS (Cochin Harbour Terminus Station) is our only focus since the Old Railway station is yet to get the final nod. Initially, DEMU trains will be operated to destinations like Angamaly/ Alwaye and will be extended to Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kottayam based on demand,” said Ernakulam area manager Rajesh Chandran.
Meanwhile, a team of senior officials visited the Harbour Terminus station to decide on basic passenger amenities to be constructed as part of resuming commercial train operations. “Currently, a ticket counter is functioning there for military personnel and also for other commuters. However, amenities like display system, passenger announcement system, rest rooms, seats and drinking water facilities need to be set up,” an official said.
