At a time when Edappally is growing as a prime location, the Edappally Railway, Station located near Ponekkara which witnesses a huge flow of passengers on a daily basis, remains highly neglected.
Demanding that the Railway officials take concerted efforts to upgrade the station, the Edappally Vikasana Samithi members and the Ponekkara Welfare Association held a dharna in front of the station on Sunday.
The dharna continued for two hours. Edappally Vikasana Samithi president Advocate R Padmanabhan Nair demanded the authorities to allow stop for all important trains at the station.
“ If the Venad Express, Mangalore Express and the newly introduced Guruvayoor-Punalur Express via Kottayam are given halts here, the passengers would be benefited hugely as they would not have to get down unnecessarily at the Ernakulam Junction and Town stations. The congestion on the roads could easily be avoided,” hesaid.
He added that the Divisional Railway Manager had earlier promised that concerted efforts would be made to allow stops for major trains at the station.
Meanwhile, the Railways is yet to ensure that there are sufficient amenities for the passengers at the station. “ On most days, the rest rooms are locked. Also, there are no bathroom facilities for the commuters,” the members of the Samithi said.
They added that the authorities concerned should ensure that the quality of road leading to the western entry of the station where the new counter is located.
“ The passengers are finding it difficult to access the counter. Also, the Railways should open reservation facilities at the counter as had been promised earlier by the Divisional Railway Manager,” the members added.
The second platform lacks proper roofing facilities. Also, the authorities should ensure that the work of the RoB is constructed at the earliest, they demanded. Opposition councillor Mahesh Kumar, members of the SNDP yogam and others participated at the protest.