KOZHIKODE: In what could be termed as a healthier turn, the Railways has decided to join hands with various stakeholders in a bid to elevate the Kozhikode railway station to world class standards.
After introducing the battery-operated car, the first of its kind in Palakkad division, with the cooperation of private parties, the station is set to get a facelift through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund.
“Being one of the major stations under the division with a footfall of thousands per day, the Railways is obliged to give priority to it. Steps are afoot to make the station friendlier to passengers, besides ensuring hygiene. This is easy to materialise with the able support of various public sector companies, freight community and voluntary organisations and passenger associations,” says Senior Divisional Commercial Manager P A Dhananjayan.
The CSR fund will be utilised to set up new granite benches on platforms, to install new chairs in the waiting rooms and waste collection bins on platforms, waiting rooms and retiring rooms. The lighting system will be improved on the platforms and parking areas by tapping the potential of solar and wind energies.
New fish and luggage trolleys, sanitary dispensers and touchscreen information system will be introduced.
A new park has also been proposed at the station with private sponsorship. Besides, an electronic chart, train display, coach indication boards, public address system and clocks will be set up with the CSR fund.
Attempting to increase the revenue, LED-based station name boards and electrical digital boards will be placed on the platforms with the advertisements of private firms.
“Public sector undertakings and voluntary organisations are welcome to fund for social cause by sponsoring various passenger amenities at the railway station. As the battery-operated car introduced at the station is evoking a good response, private firms are expressing interest in contributing their bit,” says Chief Commercial Inspector P Rajagopal.
“Instead of keeping the proposed projects in cold storage, we are spreading a red carpet to private parties,” he adds.
Dhananjayan adds that the seminar, organised by the Railways in Kozhikode on February 6, had ensured the active participation of voluntary organisations, private firms and passenger associations. “At the meeting, they had extended their support to the mission taken up by the Railways. The meeting will be followed up soon to collect public opinion and suggestions,” he adds.