KOCHI: Amidst dilapidated buildings surrounded by grass and weeds lies a historic landmark, ready for a makeover. ‘Ernakulam Goods’ Railway Station, an old railway station near Mangalavanam in the heart of the city, is likely to be converted into a transition station for suburban trains in future.
Sources said that the Railways had conceptualised a project to convert the old station into a stopover for electric trains. The project is only in the initial stage. Railways officials are of the opinion that in view of the increasing transportation needs of Kochi a transition station will become a necessity.
“The transport needs of Kochi are going up every day. Though we are not using the land and area of the railway station now, we may need the place in future. As of now the concept is to convert the railway station into a turnaround shed or more specifically an overnight transition point for long distance electric trains passing through Kochi,’’ said Titus Koshy, divisional railway manager, Thiruvananthapuram.
There should be a master plan for the project. The decision about the time period for the project will have to be taken at a higher level, he said.
The proximity of the station to Mangalavanam - a preserved forest area where migratory birds arrive every season - has given birth to fresh concerns among forest officials, environmentalists and nature lovers.
They are of the opinion that conversion of the yard into a station will disturb the serene atmosphere of Mangalavanam.
But railway officials assert that there’s no reason for such worries.
“We assure you that the Railways won’t come in the way of preserving environment and ecology. We want to preserve the tradition and heritage of the station. Therefore these fears are unnecessary. The station is situated on the periphery of the forest land. We have assured the Minister of Forests that we won’t enter Mangalavanam,’’ Titus Koshy said.
A historic sojourn
The old railway station at Ernakulam has a history behind it. A number of political and spiritual leaders have had stopovers at this station during their Kerala visit.
“The station should be preserved.
Earlier there was a proposal to preserve this railway station and its structures by converting it into a heritage zone. But nothing has materialised so far,’’ said an official. Currently the station is used as a dumping yard for construction materials. The old platform, godown, washing yard, station master’s office, offices of supporting staff and other structures are in a pathetic state.
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