In a major relief to passengers who commute to and from the Ernakulam Junction station, the railways have decided to commission the newly set up escalator at the first platform of the station within two weeks time.
According to railway officials, they have given a target to the contractors to complete the work by July 20.
“If all goes well, we can open it for public use after a week. The contractors have only the commissioning work left”, said Ernakulam area manager P L Ashok Kumar.
Currently, only a oneway escalator will be commissioned at the first platform.
“We are yet to receive the remaining escalators which is being imported from China.
“So, for the time being, we will commission a one way escalator (which will take the passengers up to the foot-over bridge) at the first platform and another escalator (which will take the passengers downwards to the second platform)”, the area manager added.
The Thiruvananthapuram Railway division has spent Rs 50 lakh for the commissioning of the single escalator including civil and loading works.
They expect to commission a total of four escalators for the time being which is expected to cost Rs 200 crore.
There are also proposals to expand the project till the sixth platform which is the most neglected platform of the station.
The civil work for the escalator at the second platform will be completed within two days.
“The contractors would require another month to complete the rest of the works including set up of the escalators at the second platform”, officials said.
Ernakulam Junction Station is the first station in the state to boast of such a facility.