Lok Sabha Question No. 413 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Chengannur Railway Station in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 413 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## CHENGANNUR RAILWAY STATION IN KERALA

## 413.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are any ongoing or proposed development projects for Chengannur railway station in Kerala;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  these  projects,  including  specific  plans  for infrastructure  improvements,  modernization  of  facilities,  and  estimated costs and approval status thereof ;
- (c) the current status and expected timelines for the completion of these development projects;
- (d)  whether the Government has consulted local stakeholders, including passengers and representatives, regarding the requirements and upgrades needed at said railway station;
- (e) if not, whether the Government plans to address the identified needs of said railway station in the near future to enhance passenger amenities and services, the details thereof; and
- (f) the benefits expected from these projects for passengers, particularly in terms of improved accessibility, convenience, and infrastructure at said railway station?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 413 BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.11.2024 REGARDING CHENGANNUR RAILWAY STATION IN KERALA.

(a)  to (f)  : Upgradation/Modernisation of stations on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing process and works in this regard are undertaken as per requirement, inter-se priority, availability of funds etc. The priority for upgradation / modernization of stations is accorded to higher category of station over lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the work.

In recent years, paving in ramp, Improvements to pay and use toilets in circulating area, improvements to AC waiting hall as well as retiring rooms and replacement of damaged PF shelter roofing have been executed at Chengannur railway station.

Further, Chengannur Railway Station falling in the state of Kerala has been identified for redevelopment under 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 such 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 ballast  less  tracks,  etc.  as  per  necessity,  phasing  and  feasibility  and creation  of  city  centres  at  the  station  in  the  long  term.  The  scheme involves appropriate discussions/consultations with all the stakeholders for  development  of  the  stations  and  the  same  has  been  done  for Chengannur railway station as well.

The  details  of  allocation  of  funds  for  development  and  maintenance  of stations are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not Work-wise or Stationwise.  Passenger  amenities  are  generally  funded  under  Plan  Head-53 'Customer  Amenities'.  Chengannur  railway  station  in  Kerala  falls  under Southern Railway Zone and the fund allocation to Southern Railway for development and maintenance of stations under Plan Head-53 'Customer Amenities', for the year (BE 2024-25) is ₹ 1383.24 Cr.

Further,  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,  encroachments,  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 .

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