Railways to develop stations in Ernakulam to boost train handling capacity

The Southern Railway will undertake the phase-two redevelopment of the three major railway stations in Ernakulam shortly. The Railways have decided to develop terminals in three cities, including Ernakulam, Coimbatore, and Chennai, as part of the Railways’ vision to boost the train handling capacity of terminals in major cities across the country. As part of this, the terminal redevelopment works are under way at the Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Thripunithura stations, which together handle a substantial share of passenger and freight traffic in Kerala.

The major works under the initiative include expanding the existing terminals with additional platforms, stabling lines, pit lines, and adequate shunting facilities, identifying and creating new terminals in and around urban areas, and setting up maintenance facilities, including mega coaching complexes. The project also covers increasing sectional capacity through traffic facility works, upgrading signalling systems, and adding multitracking at various points to handle the increased number of trains.

Redevelopment of Ernakulam Town Railway Station is planned in two phases at a total cost of ₹150.28 crore, with phasing designed to ensure uninterrupted passenger operations during construction. Phase I is under way in the southern part of the station area. Existing facilities such as staff quarters, parcel office, duty station master room, and substation and OFC rooms, were relocated to facilitate execution.

Structural works have already been completed, including those for the west terminal building, while finishing works are in progress. Major components of Phase I include multilevel car parking for 200 cars, fire protection, painting and finishing works, a 12-metre-wide foot overbridge, and platform development. The first phase is expected to be commissioned by May 2026. This will be followed by the second phase of work. The retendering for the Ernakulam Junction redevelopment project has been completed, and work will commence shortly. Thripunithura Amrit Bharat Station redevelopment works are in the final phase, according to a statement from the Railways.