Platform height to be increased in select rly stations

Thiruvananthapuram: Southern Railway’s Thiruvananthapuram division will raise the height of platforms from medium level to a higher level. The stations where this proposed work will be done are Kochuveli, Kappil, Edavai, Varkala, Mayyanad and Murukkampuzha. Thiruvananthapuram division authority has already invited tenders for the same.
Raising the platform height will help passengers, especially senior citizens, to board and alight easily. It will prevent accidents (people falling in the gap between platform and footboard). At present, the height of the platforms is 500mm (medium level) and it will be raised to 840mm (maximum), based on the requirement at different stations.
According to an official from Thiruvananthapuram division, the work was mooted after the railway board issued a directive. “A passenger will be able to board the train, after one step on the footboard after the height is increased. The work to raise the platform height will be taken up in a phased manner in a year,” said the official from the engineering wing.
High-level platforms are part of the minimum essential amenities to be provided at these station as per the latest categorization of station based on passenger traffic. Besides raising the height, a plan to extend the first platform at Kochuveli railway station is being considered. The first platform can accommodate around 20 coaches and passengers travelling in end coaches find it difficult to alight. The first platform will be extended by 150m to overcome this problem.
“It is the first time that a platform is being extended after its construction. The first can accommodate 24 coaches after completion of the work. It will an advantage for maintenance also,” said the railway official. The installation of coach guidance system or coach indication board in the extended area will also be completed.