Central station revamp to increase rush at north

T'puram: Thiruvananthapuram North Railway Station (Kochuveli) is preparing for a significant surge in passenger traffic as train operations are gradually shifted from Thiruvananthapuram Central Station, currently undergoing a Rs 439-crore redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.With renovation work progressing at central station, railway authorities have begun upgrading facilities at Kochuveli to handle the expected rise in footfall. Dormitory facilities are among the first additions planned. Separate halls for men and women with fixed beds will operate round the clock at affordable tariffs, catering primarily to families and solo travellers waiting for connecting trains. Additional food courts are also being planned, replacing the station's existing limited canteen facilities, a necessary upgrade given the expected influx of long-distance passengers. Transportation connectivity to Kochuveli has long been a weak point. Passengers currently depend on infrequent bus services and a limited number of taxis and autorickshaws, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours. Railway officials said discussions are under way with KSRTC to increase bus services and improve taxi and autorickshaw availability near the station. Security is also being reinforced. Additional CCTV cameras and more Railway Protection Force personnel are expected to be deployed ahead of the anticipated crowd increase. Despite the upgrades, passengers and rail activists have flagged several limitations that could hamper the station's ability to handle central station-level traffic. Insufficient parking, congestion on approach roads and inadequate waiting areas remain unresolved concerns. Railway sources indicated that more train services will be progressively routed through Kochuveli as redevelopment work at central station intensifies. The shift is expected to temporarily make Kochuveli one of the busiest railway hubs in the state. "Renovation and expansion are being carried out keeping passenger safety in mind," a railway source said.