Kochi: The Kerala Rail Development Corporation (KRDCL) has submitted a feasibility report to the Southern Railway on converting the marshalling yard at Ponnurunni in Vyttila to a new railway station of international standards.
The new terminal-cum-railway station would resolve the problems faced by Kochi in the rail development sector, and that the project would be technically feasible and financially viable, as per the feasibility report.
The project can be completed in three years. Four platforms, two parcel lines, one pit line, two stabling lines and a wagon examination line have been recommended. The number of platforms can be increased in the future.
The public-private partnership project envisages Rs 1654 crore investment, including Rs 325 crore for the station infrastructure development.
Apart from the station and yard, there would be residential units and commercial complexes.
The Railway has 110 acres of land at the Ernakulam marshalling yard. The proposed terminal is just 1.5km away from the Ernakulam Junction station.
The current infrastructure at Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town stations are inadequate to operate more trains. The new terminal would be helpful in addressing the rising traffic needs, the feasibility study pointed out.
The study also recommended to construct a new road and link the service road for NH 66 to the Vyttila mobility hub. Also, to widen the road below the Ponnurunni bridge and to construct a direct road from Thammanam-Pullepady Road to the terminal.
The report also recommended to connect to the Elamkulam metro station via the Fathima Church Road and the JLN stadium metro station via the stadium road through e-feeders.
The report stated that the new terminal would be able to fulfil the rail needs of the central Kerala for the next 30 years. The terminal would also help to get more train services for Kerala.
After Hibi Eden MP met Union Minister Piyush Goyal, the Railway had directed to carry out the feasibility study.