The railway is revising the rebuilding dates for the ERS, ERN stations

Redevelopment work took place at Ernakulam Junction railway station on 26 July. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The completion date for the redevelopment of Ernakulam Junction (ERS) and Ernakulam Town (ERN) railway stations has been revised to March 2028 and December 2028 respectively, following re-tendering for the works.

The railway terminated the contracts of the companies concerned after they failed to meet the project schedule. Ongoing work on the ERS was re-tendered earlier this year, while a similar process is underway for the ERN station. When work began in August 2022, the initial cost of rebuilding the ERS and ERN was ₹300 million and ₹150 million, respectively, with a deadline of August 2025.

On July 25, rehabilitation work continues at Ernakulam Town Railway Station. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Railway sources said the deadlock over the work at the two stations and the cumbersome procedures involved in re-tendering were always going to increase the cost of the project. Construction work at the ERN is expected to resume in January 2027, they said.

Meanwhile, the All Kerala Railway Users’ Association (KERUA) demanded that the railways should ensure a safe and well-lit path for passengers and others from the entrance to the exit of the ERS. “They also need to provide semi-permanent roofing to safely use the stretch during monsoon. Besides, it is high time that the railways increased the height of low-lying platforms at the station, keeping in mind the difficulties faced by passengers and the numerous deaths and other accidents due to inadequate platform height,” said Paul KJ Manvettom, president of the association and member of the Thiruvanant Thiruvanal Users’ Consultative Committee.

KERUA also sought steps to improve amenities at the eastern entrance to both stations, given that a large number of residential areas in the city are located on the eastern side. “The railway seems to be targeting the main entrance of the two stations on their western side, with a view to the potential of their second entrance on the eastern side. Platform 2 at ERN, which faces the narrowed second entrance, has to be extended up to the Ernakulam North flyover. This in turn will allow the construction of a skywalk connecting the station to the adjacent City Hall, as only four metro stations need to be extended, platform 1 and ERS platform. It can currently accommodate full capacity trains. 25 cars. This shortage has led to trains being held up on the outside of the station,” Mr Manvettom said.

The passenger association is also seeking to install lifts and escalators at all platforms in the stations.

Forum request

Karithala Poura Samiti, a group of families living near the eastern entrance of ERS, also demanded that the railway fill the eastern entrance of the station by making optimum use of the available space and the building owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). “It should be remembered that more than 35 families have surrendered their land to GCDA for development of the eastern entrance of the station. The Railways is still reluctant to take over the building that GCDA offered for ₹ 10 crore a decade and a half ago, while Platform 6, which faces the eastern entrance, has no roof, Choaryo Samitilak,” Vijukal said.

Published – 27 Jul 2026 0:57 IST