Lok Sabha Question No. 2743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Utilization of Unused Land at Cheriyanad
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2743

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## UTILIZATION OF UNUSED LAND AT CHERIYANAD

## 2743.    SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that approximately 50 acres of land at  Cheriyanad  railway  station  has  been  lying  unused  for  the  past  50 years;
- (b)  if  so,  the  significant  amount  of  unused  land  and  the  steps  are  being taken  to  utilize  this  land  effectively  by  establishing  a  new  railway station at Cheriyanad instead of Cheriyanad railway station as Chengannur South;
- (c) the details of the plans and timelines for the development of this new station  in  order  to  contribute  for  improving  the  public  transportation facilities in the region; and
- (d) whether  any  feasibility  study  or  assessment  has  been  conducted  to determine  the  need  for  a  new  station  at  Cheriyanad  as  Chengannur South and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2743 BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.08.2024 REGARDING UTILIZATION OF UNUSED LAND AT CHERIYANAD

(a) to (d): Upgradation/development/redevelopment of  stations  on  Indian Railways is a continuous and on-going process and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority, availability of funds and resources.

Ministry of Railways has recently launched Amrit Bharat Station scheme. This  scheme  envisages  development  of  stations  on  a  continuous  basis with  a  long-term  approach.  It  involves  preparation  of  Master  Plans  and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like  improvement  of  station  access,  circulating  areas,  waiting  halls, toilets,  lift/escalators  as  necessary,  cleanliness,  free  Wi-Fi,  kiosks  for local  products  through  schemes  like  'One  Station  One  Product',  better passenger information systems, Executive Lounges, nominated spaces for business  meetings,  landscaping  etc.  keeping  in  view  the  necessity  at each station.

The  scheme  also  envisages  improvement  of  building,  integrating  the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless  tracks  etc.,  as  per  necessity,  phasing  and  feasibility  and creation  of  city  centres  at  the  station  in  the  long  term.  The  Master Planning of stations, whenever undertaken, is aimed at optimal utilization of Railway Land.

So  far,  1324  stations  including  35  stations  in  the  State  of  Kerala  have been identified for redevelopment under this scheme. Chengnnur railway station  is  one  of  the  stations  in  Kerala  indentified  for  redevelopment under Amrit Bharat Station scheme. Cheriyanad railway station which is next to Chengannur station has been provided with passenger amenities such as two high level platforms, one foot over bridge, waiting hall, etc. This is considered adequate for the present level of traffic at Cheriyanad station.

Development/redevelopment/upgradation  of  Railway  Stations  is  complex in  nature  involving  safety  of  passengers  &  trains  and  requires  various statutory  clearances  such  as  fire  clearance,  heritage,  tree  cutting,  airport  clearance  etc.  The  progress  also  gets  affected  due  to  brown  field related  challenges  such  as  shifting  of  utilities,  (involving  water/sewage lines,  optical  fibre  cables,  gas  pipe  lines,  power/signal  cables  etc.,) infringements, operation of trains without hindering passenger movement, speed  restrictions  due  to  works  carried  out  in  close  proximity  of  high voltage  power  lines  etc.  and  these  factors  affect  the  completion  time. Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage.

- *****