Call to upgrade Oachira railway station in Kerala and restore train halts

The Oachira Railway Station Vikasana Samithi (ORSVS) has called for upgrading amenities and allowing stops for much trains astatine the presumption successful Kerala.

T.J. Unnikrishnan, wide convener, ORSVS, said that presently lone 19 trains halt astatine Oachira successful each direction, which was grossly insufficient to conscionable the needs of residents from 7 grama panchayats successful Kollam and Alappuzha districts, arsenic good arsenic different commuters. He noted that the Oachira Parabrahma Temple is situated conscionable 2 km distant from the railway station. About 10 lakh devotees sojourn the temple annually, peculiarly during temple festivals and the Sabarimala season. Likewise, the railway presumption besides serves Amritapuri Ashram, Amritapuri Educational Institutions, Darul Uloom AL Islamiyya, Sayyid Hasani Academy, Azheekkal Beach, Azheekkal Fishing Harbour, among others.

“Considering the divers needs of tourists, devotees, students and regular commuters, the existent facilities astatine the Oachira railway presumption are inadequate. As a cardinal crossing station, its imaginable remains untapped. Upgrading amenities and expanding bid stoppages are important to efficaciously service its intent and cater to the increasing demands of its users,” Mr. Unnikrishnan said.

The ORSVS said much than 500 office-going natives of Oachira and the surrounding panchayats presently beryllium connected different stations arsenic nary explicit trains halt astatine Oachira successful the greeting and evening.

“We petition halts for astatine slightest 1 explicit bid plying betwixt Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam successful the greeting and evening, arsenic it would greatly payment each office-going commuters and the public,” Mr. Unnikrishnan added.

The ORSVS besides demanded the restoration of pre-COVID-19 stoppages for bid nary 16327 and 16328 (Guruvayur-Madurai Express) astatine Oachira.

In presumption of the Vrishchika Mahotsavam astatine the Oachira Parabrahma temple, the samithi has sought impermanent halts for the Malabar, Intercity, Vanchinad, Venad and Parasuram Express trains betwixt November 15 and November 30.

Platform extension

It further called for extending the level magnitude astatine the railway station, constructing a due attack roadworthy and providing capable parking facilities for commuters’ vehicles.

Raising these demands, the ORSVS has submitted memorandums to K.C. Venugopal, MP, and to Railway authorities.