KOCHI: The Kalamassery Railway Station could well have the dubious distinction of being one of the most neglected railheads in the country despite located within sniffing distance of major city landmarks like the Government Medical College(GMC),Cusat, Infopark, Maker Village, FACT, Apollo Tyres and HMT.
With the exception of perhaps the odd train, none of trains has a halt there.
“Even the Guruvayoor-Ernakulam passenger train does not have a stop at Kalamassery,” said R K Manikandan, convener, Edappally Railway Passengers Association.
“If it is on time, the train from Guruvayoor will arrive at Kalamassery at 8.50am. The train can be of immense help to the patients bound for Kalamassery Government Medical College, or those coming to the Infopark or educational institutions such as Cusat,” he said.
Further, Manikandan said, “The authorities revealed Kalamassery was a ‘loop line’ -- a less important railway line which breaks away from the main line and rejoins it later before continuing in the same direction.
This meant the trains would be delayed by at least 10 minutes if they were to halt there.”Nowadays the passengers en route to Kalamassery get down at Aluva and take the bus for the onward journey. According to M Balachandran, Kalamassery station manager,last-mile connectivity was another major problem faced by the passengers,if indeed the trains halted at the station.
“Those clamouring for more trains should first of all try and ensure conveyance facilities like public transport,taxis and autorickshaws,” he said. Nonetheless, Balachandran said he was yet to get any written complaint regarding the lack of conveyance.
Curiously,there were few if any students travelling on the trains passing through the station even though it was faster and comparatively cheap,not to mention the educational institutions located in the neighbourhood.
“Only a few trains are available during the morning rush hour.So the students opt to travel by bus. If we want to travel by train we will have to set out quite early,” said Ablilash P I, an ITI student. Compounding the station’s woes, the roads leading to it are poorly maintained.
Besides, there are no restrooms, streetlights or shops on the premises. “We have to get the nod of the Naval Armament Depot(NAD) to renovate the roads and to set up an auto stand as the area comes under NAD control,” said Jessy Peter, chairperson, Kalamassery Municipality.