en.Wedoany.com Reported - Southern Railway held a high-level meeting in Chennai, outlining the advancement plan for the Ernakulam railway project. The company's General Manager and local representatives jointly discussed railway infrastructure, with Member of Parliament Hibi Eden submitting several proposals aimed at easing travel pressure and enhancing railway capacity. After review, railway officials reached a preliminary consensus on the project timeline and design requirements.

The meeting prioritized the conversion of the existing marshalling yard at the Ponurunni end into a new railway terminal. The MP proposed naming the station "Ernakulam Central Railway Station." Officials stated that the entrance will be constructed above the Ponurunni railway overbridge, and relevant documents will be submitted to the Railway Board within a month. The project is estimated to cost 2.7 billion (2.7 bn), with plans to build 6 platforms, 3 maintenance lines, a stable line, and other ancillary facilities.

Regarding the renovation of the Ernakulam Junction station, the General Manager revealed that a new two-story building will be constructed on the western facade. On the eastern side, two of the four floors have been completed, and the multi-level parking facility is targeted to be operational after six months. As for the Ernakulam Town station, due to project delays, the contract with the current contractor has been terminated, and officials stated that a new tender will be called around September. The multi-level parking lot will be opened to the public upon completion, and plans are underway to acquire approximately 50 cents of land to develop a rear entrance; the front section of the station is expected to be completed by December 2028.

Railway representatives also proposed considering the construction of modern concourses connecting Ernakulam South station, Tripunithura station, and the nearby metro station. The design of the concourse connecting the North Railway Station and the Town Hall metro station also needs optimization. Officials stated that these measures aim to facilitate commuting and enhance multimodal transport connectivity in the area. The specific implementation timeline will depend on the progress of approvals, tendering, and coordination with municipal authorities.