While Southern Railway has finished a significant phase in upgrading the Thiruvananthapuram North railway station, commonly known as Kochu Veli, passenger groups argue that the work remains incomplete. They point out the continued absence of several essential facilities needed to improve the travel experience and truly decongest the bustling Thiruvananthapuram Central station.
What Has Been Done at Kochu Veli Station?
The development project, which began in 2023 with an investment of Rs 156 crore aimed at enhancing railway facilities in the Thiruvananthapuram area, has seen tangible progress. The station now boasts seven platforms, with new lifts installed at the first and seventh platforms. A key focus has been on improving maintenance infrastructure.
The pit lines have been significantly upgraded to allow for better upkeep of trains, including the modern Vande Bharat services. This enhancement has already enabled the railways to operate special trains from the North station, a capability recently utilized to manage passenger flow during the IndiGo airlines crisis that disrupted flight schedules.
Passenger Grievances and Demands
Despite these improvements, representatives from passenger associations say a lot more is required. A Pradeep from the Veli Railway Passengers Association highlighted several critical gaps. He emphasized the need for a ticket counter at platform 1, end-to-end shelters on all platforms to protect passengers from rain and sun, and refreshment stalls at every platform.
Currently, a snack stall is only available at platform 6, causing inconvenience. For instance, passengers boarding the Rajya Rani Express to Nilambur often struggle to buy water and food before their journey.
A major point of contention is the lack of stoppages for express trains. "Except for passenger trains, the express trains terminating at Thiruvananthapuram Central do not stop here," Pradeep noted. He argued that allowing stops would greatly benefit people traveling to areas like the medical college, Sreekaryam, and Pattom, who currently must alight at Central and find transport from Thampanoor, defeating the decongestion goal.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Plans
Beyond the station itself, passengers have called for better traffic management on roads leading to the station, especially on weekends. Traffic headed towards a mall near the Akkulam bridge frequently causes delays for those trying to catch the evening Mysuru Express.
On the operational side, the railway is maximizing the use of the station's yard for maintaining trains that originate from Central. Sources indicate that amenity works, like improving restrooms for staff, are ongoing. This is in preparation for an increased workforce, as there are plans to launch more train services from Thiruvananthapuram North in the future.
While the infrastructure development marks a step forward, the consensus among daily users is clear: for the station to become a viable and popular alternative to Central, the railways must address these basic yet crucial passenger amenities and service inclusions.
