Rail budget: Many proposals sidetracked

KOCHI: Many of the proposals made for the upgradation and development of the two major stations of Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town seem to have been either scrapped or abandoned half-way by the Railways. Some of the proposals are either pending or are waiting for completion.The proposal to raise the Ernakulam Junction Railway Station to the ‘international standard’ was being announced in budget after budget for the last few years. Despite all the talk, no fund has been allotted and there was no action plan also. “This is just talk year after year. In spite of all the announcement and sanction, when it comes to funding there is no move. Moreover, no one has any idea about what they mean by ‘International Standards’,  no draft or framework has been laid out,” said Viju.The Ernakulam Town Railway Station meanwhile has seen many proposals. But there has been no improvement in the amenities being provided to the commuters. The proposal to take over the smaller shops behind the Town Station and construct a multi-storey commercial complex with shops, restaurants and cafes downstairs and lodging and retiring facilities upstairs has also gone down the drain.A proposal to add dormitories, retiring rooms and waiting rooms, which was tendered some four years ago, is remaining in limbo. The project was tendered for ` 35 lakh. The two waiting rooms which were constructed as part of the project are remaining locked for over a year now.Meanwhile, the work of the two dormitories and the two retiring rooms, separate ones for men and women, has been stopped mid-way, with only the brick work remaining completed.V A Joseph, the contractor for the project, said that the work could not be completed as the authorities had not released the funds.  ‘’The Railways has refused to pay for the work citing the reason that there was no fund. In the meantime, the prices of all the materials have gone up. So it is not possible to complete the work at the earlier rates,’’ said Joseph. The foot-overbridge that will connect the platforms directly with the two roads on either side of the station is remaining unfinished.Railway employees at the Ernakulam Town Station said that the project also was left unfinished after the contractor pulled out citing the reason of non-payment for the work done owing to non-allotment of funds.