Proposal for Construction of a Mega Railway Terminal at Nagercoil Jn.
We have been informed through various news sources that the Central Railway Zone is studying and selecting locations for the construction of a mega terminal railway station in Mumbai (Panvel, Kalyan, Kalamboli, Dombivli, Thane, and Parel) to cater to future train operations spanning the next century. However, it has come to our attention that the Southern Railway Zone currently lacks similar plans for the development of new terminal infrastructure. It appears that the prevailing approach within the Southern Railway Zone is to maintain existing railway infrastructure and operations without a long-term vision or proposals for expansion.
We request Southern Railway authorities to select Nagercoil Junction as the mega terminal for the entire Southern Railway Zone, consolidating operations at one location. Instead of setting up separate railway terminals in different places, it should be established as one large terminal managed directly under the Southern Railway Zone, encompassing facilities like loco sheds, locomotive workshops, carriage maintenance workshops, etc.
Nagercoil is strategically located as a major railway junction connecting the eastern and western rail-lines. The western line runs through the west coast (via Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Mangalore) and the eastern line runs through the east into Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruchi, and Chennai. In the future, all trains and rakes from various depots like Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruchi, Trivandrum, Kochuveli, Ernakulam, and Alappuzha should move or start from Nagercoil.
We are aware of the challenges the Railway Department faces in acquiring land for the development of railway stations in major cities like Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Chennai Egmore, Chennai Central, etc. Currently, there are lands surrounding the Nagercoil Railway Station that can be acquired for development for the next 100 years, making it feasible to construct a mega terminal.
We request the operation of all station rakes to be moved to the Nagercoil mega depot and the standardization of rakes to ease operational constraints. This will lead to improvements in rake utilization, punctuality, minimizing rescheduling, and saving slots in the pit lines, ultimately enhancing the overall earnings of Indian Railways due to better rake turnaround and flexibility in train operations.
Rake Pool: By this, any train can be made ready for departure even if its incoming rake is delayed. Every incoming rake requires at least seven hours for thorough inspection and cleaning at the pit line. If the incoming rake is late, an identical rake of the same composition can be used to run the service, ensuring punctuality.
With utmost respect, we request the conversion of Nagercoil Junction into a mega terminal with the following facilities:
- Second Entry and Small Station Building: Construct a second entry with a small station building, parking, booking office, and circulating area with access to the four-lane road. The location is proposed near the nine stabling lines extending 650 meters close to the Pazhayar River. Additionally, construct a small bridge over the Pazhayar River to connect to the four-lane road with the help of NHAI, enabling access for the entire Kanniyakumari district population (around 2.5 million) without entering the city. Initially, some Nagercoil Junction terminating trains can operate through the second entry platforms.
- Initial Platform Construction: Construct only three platforms initially to receive the train operations with a second entry. Construct two platforms every two years, aiming for a total of 10 platforms in the second entry area, while avoiding any fund allocation issues.
- Foot Over Bridge: Construct a 700-meter long foot over bridge to connect all platforms, similar to Kochuveli Railway Station. Both ends should have platforms, and the central area will have maintenance facilities like pit lines and stabling lines.
- Land Acquisition: Acquire the land from Nagercoil Junction to the Kanniyakumari-Trivandrum four-lane road, including the Pazhayar River area, under the control of the Railway along with the doubling project.
- Pit Line Facility: Increase the pit line facility at Nagercoil by adding 15 more pit lines, bringing the total to 5+15=20. Construct one pit line every two years, avoiding any fund allocation issues.
- Stabling Lines: Construct an additional 40 stabling lines at Nagercoil Railway Station along with the doubling project, with one stabling line constructed each year, avoiding any fund allocation issues.
- MEMU Shed: Request the construction of a MEMU shed at Suchindram or Veerani Aloor Railway Station, where sufficient land is available.
- Electric Loco Shed: Construct an electric loco shed at Kanniyakumari (Agasteeswaram Railway Station), considering the availability of sufficient railway land.
- The mega terminal project, included in the Nagercoil–Madurai doubling project, is being executed by RVNL
Everyone is aware that Thiruvananthapuram and Tirunelveli Railway Stations are located in the heart of the city. These prime locations can be transformed into major commercial areas with business centers or commercial malls. After the construction of the Nagercoil mega railway terminal, trains currently operating from Thiruvananthapuram and Tirunelveli can be relocated, with some trains moved to Kochuveli, and others to Nagercoil and Tirunelveli. By doing this, all existing pit lines and stabling lines at Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station can be removed, allowing for the construction of around 10 additional platforms. Furthermore, a large, world-class 10-story commercial building, similar to Lulu Mall, can be developed through public-private partnerships to increase railway revenue.
We sincerely hope that our suggestions will be given due consideration and that necessary actions will be taken at the earliest opportunity.
Thanks & Regards,
S. R. Sreeram, President
Kanyakumari District Railway Users’ Association (KKDRUA)
IInd Floor, 4 Gandhi Street,
Kottar, Nagercoil -629002,
Kanyakumari District. Tamil Nadu