NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, MAY 17
Passenger amenities, introduction of new trains, additional stops, extensions of existing services and station development were among the issues that were discussed at a meeting organised by the Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division with Members of Parliament from Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Friday.
Shri R.N. Singh, GM, Southern Railway held meeting with Hon’ble MPs of #Thiruvananthapuram Division on 16.05.25 to review key completed & ongoing works.
Station upgrades, new amenities & infra improvements were discussed.#SouthernRailway #IndianRailways #SRInfraUpdate pic.twitter.com/jeTS6Hznxc
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) May 16, 2025
The meeting reviewed completed and ongoing Constituency-wise infrastructure development works under the jurisdiction of the Division, the Railway said in a statement. Kerala MPs and the MP representing Pokllachi constituency in Tamil Nadu attended the meeting with R.N. Singh, General Manager, Southern Railway. The progress on the construction of new railway lines, extensions of existing train services, doubling and electrification works and construction of Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges also were discussed.
- Efforts are on to improve railway infrastructure and passenger amenities, Railway officials say
- Pollachi station is being redeveloped with lifts, lighting, CCTV coverage, and improved public announcement systems
Focused efforts are underway to improve railway infrastructure in regions falling under the Palakkad Division of the Southern Railway, Railway officials said.
The MPs deliberated on various issues including introduction of new trains, provision of additional stoppages, progress on new railway line constructions, extensions of existing services, station development, doubling and electrification works, construction of Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges, improvement of passenger amenities, and land acquisition for railway projects. They also offered valuable suggestions for the further development of the Palakkad Division and improvement of services.
KERALA
Alathur Constituency
In the Alathur constituency, drinking water facilities were provided at Kollengode and Muthalamada stations. Ongoing development includes station redevelopment works at Kollengode, Muthalamada, Pudunagaram, and Vadakannikapuram, which involve roof truss repairs and station building improvements. Passenger amenity enhancements like CCTV installations and public announcement system upgrades are underway at Pudunagaram, Kollengode, Muthalamada, and Minatchipuram. A 1.58 km boundary wall is also under construction in encroachment-prone areas near Kollengode to ensure safety.
Palakkad Constituency
Palakkad has witnessed robust infrastructure improvements, including a new 26-coach pit line, two stabling lines, two sick lines, and a shunting neck at Palakkad Town for which work is in progress. Passenger amenities include foot overbridges at Mannanur and Shoranur Junction, lifts at Palakkad Junction, Palakkad Town, and Pattambi, and escalators at Palakkad Tow and Platform shelters, lighting (including airport-standard illumination), and parking upgrades were implemented at multiple stations. Train indication and coach guidance display boards were installed at Shoranur and Ottapalam. Redevelopment of stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme is ongoing at Shoranur, Ottapalam, and Kuttipuram. New FOBs are being constructed at Kanjikode , Walayar ,Palakkad Junction and Shoranur Jn. while new lifts and escalators, CCTV, improved Parking and digital Train Indication Boards are coming up at major stations.
Kasaragod Constituency
In Kasaragod, recent works include construction of foot overbridges at Ezhimala and Manjeshwar, and installation of lifts at Charvattur. Parking facilities were developed across nine stations, and high-quality lighting was provided at key locations. Train indicator and coach guidance display boards were commissioned at Kanhangad and Kasaragod. Renovation works under Amrit Bharat Scheme are in progress at Kasaragod and Payyanur, with ongoing works including new FOBs, lifts, escalators, CCTV, and public announcement system upgrades.
Kannur Constituency
Kannur saw the construction of FOBs at Etakkot and Kannur South, with a lift and escalator added at Kannur station. Additional platform shelters were provided at Valapattanam, and water supply arrangements were improved at Kannur. Parking spaces were developed at multiple stations. Valapattanam goods shed received new facilities. Ongoing upgrades include three more lifts and escalators at Kannur, a new FOB, and CCTV coverage at four stations. Kannur station is also undergoing improvement works under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Vadakara Constituency
Vadakara station saw redevelopment of circulating and parking areas, along with station upgrades under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Foot overbridge work was completed at Payyoli, and lifts and escalators were added at multiple stations. Platforms were raised to high-level standards at Vadakara. Lighting, electronic boards, and drinking water facilities were improved at several stations, including Quilandi and Mahe. Multiple catering units were added, and public announcement systems were upgraded at Thalassery, Mahe, and Vadakara where further development works continue under Amrit Bharat Scheme.
Malappuram Constituency
Infrastructure enhancements in Malappuram include improved lighting and Parking lots at Angadippuram and Vallikunnu. Work is ongoing to develop new crossing stations at Kulukallur and Melattur. Angadippuram station is being modernized with lifts and lighting under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, alongside similar works at Kuttipuram, Parappanangadi, and Tirur.
Wayanad Constituency
Electrification of Nilambur Road – Shoranur line will facilitate operation of faster trains paving way for eco-friendly transportation. Infrastructure enhancements include construction of an FOB at Nilambur and provision of various passenger-friendly facilities under Amrit Bharat Scheme.
Ponnani Constituency
In Ponnani, works included extension of FOB at Tirur, lifts and escalators at multiple stations, platform shelters, parking improvements, and airport-style lighting. Electronic train indicators and coach guidance display boards were installed at Tirur, Kuttipuram, and Parappanangadi. Ongoing works include redevelopment of Tirur and Kuttipuram stations under Amrit Bharat Scheme, new escalators at Tirur, lighting enhancements, CCTV coverage, and upgrades to the public announcement systems.
Kozhikode Constituency
Kozhikode saw the construction of a second foot overbridge, re-roofing of shelters, and major parking space development at Ferij, Kallayi, Kozhikkode and West Hill stations. Drinking water and lighting facilities were improved at Ferok, West Hill, and Kozhikode. Ferok station is undergoing further renovation under Amrit Bharat Scheme, including the installation of lifts, lights, CCTV, and modern public announcement systems.
TAMIL NADU
Pollachi Constituency
Pollachi received a new foot overbridge at Kinattukadavu, platform shelter upgrades at Pollachi, and high-level platform at Madukkarai. Parking, drinking water, and catering were also enhanced. Train information systems were installed at Pollachi. A new goods shed and shunting facilities were commissioned at Madukkarai. Under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, Pollachi station is being redeveloped with lifts, lighting, CCTV coverage, and improved public announcement systems. Intermediate block signaling work between Walayar and Ettimadai on B line is also in progress.
KARNATAKA
Dakshina Kannada Constituency
At Mangaluru Central, platforms and yard facilities were resurfaced, a 24-coach pit line was commissioned. Foot overbridges, parking, illumination, train display systems, and coach guidance boards were implemented at both Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction. A new goods shed with reception and dispatch capabilities was developed at Ullal. Ongoing works include yard remodelling, installation of lifts and CCTV, new freight examination lines at Mangaluru, and the doubling of Jokatte–Thokkur section. Upgradation works at Mangaluru Jn. continue under the Amrit Bharat Scheme.
Kerala Lok Sabha MPs K. Radhakrishnan (Alathur), M.K. Raghavan (Kozhikode) . Rajmohan Unnithan (Kasaragod), Shafi Parambil (Vadakara) and V. K. Sreekandan (Palakkad) along with Rajya Sabha MPs V. Sivadasan, P. P. Suneer, and P. T. Usha, were present in the meeting.
Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad Division, along with Principal Heads of Departments of Southern Railway, also participated in the meeting.
