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Ernakulam Junction railway station: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 9°58′08″N 76°17′30″E / 9.96885°N 76.29160°E / 9.96885; 76.29160
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{{short description|NSG-2 classified railway station in Kerala, India}}
{{for|the other major railway station in Ernakulam|Ernakulam Town railway station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox station
{{Infobox station
| name = Ernakulam Junction
| name = Ernakulam Junction
| native_name =
| native_name = <hr/>Ernakulam South
| native_name_lang = ml
| native_name_lang = ml
| other_name = Ernakulam South
| other_name =
| style = Indian Railways
| style = Indian Railways
| type = [[Express train]] and [[Passenger train]] station
| type = [[File:Indian_Railways_Suburban_Railway_Logo.svg|30px]] [[Indian Railways]] station
| image = Ernakulam Junction Railway Station.jpg
| image = Ernakulam Junction.jpg
| caption = Main entrance of Ernakulam Junction before the reconstruction in 2022
| address = [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]], India
| address = [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]]
| coordinates = {{coord|9.96885|76.29160|type:railwaystation_region:IN|display=title,inline}}
| coordinates = {{coord|9.96885|76.29160|type:railwaystation_region:IN|display=title,inline}}
| owned = [[Indian Railways]]
| owned = [[Indian Railways]]
| operator = [[Southern Railway zone]]
| operator = [[Southern Railway zone]]
| line = [[Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam line]],<br>[[Shoranur-Cochin Harbour section|Ernakulam-Shoranur]]<br>[[Ernakulam-Kayamkulam coastal railway line|Ernakulam-Alappuzha-Kayamkulam]]<br>Ernakulam Junction-Cochin Harbour Terminus
| line = [[Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam line]],<br>[[Shoranur–Cochin Harbour section]]<br>[[Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal line|Ernakulam–Alappuzha–Kayamkulam]]<br>Ernakulam Junction–[[Cochin Harbour Terminus]]
| platform = 6
| platform = 6
| tracks = 12
| tracks = 10
| other =
| bicycle = available
| bicycle = available
| depth =
| depth =
| disabled = {{Access icon|20px}}
| accessible = {{Access icon|20px}}
| parking = Available
| parking = Available
| structure =
| structure =
| classification = [[Categorization of Indian Railway stations by commercial importance#Current (2017-)|NSG-2]]
| classification = A1 Class
| code = ERS
| code = ERS
| zone = [[Southern Railway zone]]
| zone = [[Southern Railway zone]]
| status = Active
| closed =
| closed =
| opened = {{start date and age|1932}}
| opened = {{start date and age|1932}}
| rebuilt = {{start date and age|1946}}
| rebuilt = {{start date and age|1946}} (''first'')<br /> {{start date and age|df=yes|August 2025}} (''second'')
| electrified = {{start date and age|2000}}
| electrified = {{start date and age|2000}}
| passengers = 28,170 per day<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1536297820030-ANNUAL%20EARNINGS.pdf |title=Annual originating passengers and earnings for the year 2017-18 - Thiruvananthapuram Division|publisher=Indian Railways |accessdate=11 September 2018}}</ref> <br>Annual passenger - 1,02,82,088
| passengers = 53,698 per day <ref>{{cite web|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1559554713747-ANNUAL%20EARNINGS.pdf |title=Annual originating passengers and earnings for the year 2018–19 - Thiruvananthapuram Division|publisher=Indian Railways |access-date=9 July 2019}}</ref> <br>Annual passengers – 1,96,00,000 (2021–22)
| mpassengers =
| mpassengers =
| pass_system =
| pass_system =
| pass_year = 2017-18
| pass_year = 2018–19
| pass_percent =
| pass_percent =
| pass_rank = 2 ''(in [[Kerala]])''<br> 2 ''(in [[Thiruvananthapuram railway division|Trivandrum division]])''
| pass_rank = 3 ''(in [[Kerala]])''<br> 2 ''(in [[Thiruvananthapuram railway division|Trivandrum division]])''
| services =
| services =
| map_locator =
| map_locator =
| image_caption =
| image_caption =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-caption = Interactive map
}}
}}


'''Ernakulam Junction railway station''' (also known as Ernakulam South, station code: ERS<ref name="stn_code">{{cite web |title=Station Code Index |url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/coaching/TAG_2023-24/Station_Code_Index.pdf |website=Portal of Indian Railways |publisher=Centre For Railway Information Systems |access-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216225807/https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/coaching/TAG_2023-24/Station_Code_Index.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2024 |page=6 |date=2023–24}}</ref>) is an NSG–2 category [[List of railway stations in India|Indian railway station]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram railway division]] of [[Southern Railway zone]].<ref name="sr_stn">{{cite web |title=SOUTHERN RAILWAY LIST OF STATIONS AS ON 01.04.2023 (CATEGORY- WISE) |url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1686913242750-SR%20-LIST%20OF%20STATIONS-2023.pdf |website=Portal of Indian Railways |publisher=Centre For Railway Information Systems |access-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323095403/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1686913242750-SR%20-LIST%20OF%20STATIONS-2023.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2024 |page=1 |date=1 April 2023}}</ref> It is the main [[Train station|railway terminus]] in the city of [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]]. Controlling 376 train routes at a time, it is one of busiest railway stations in [[South India]] and an important railway hub.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Ernakulam-Junction-Restrictions-on-train-traffic-from-Jan-30/articleshow/50712992.cms|title=Ernakulam Junction: Restrictions on train traffic from Jan 30|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2017-09-28}}</ref> At {{INRConvert|158|c|year=2019}} in financial year 2018–19, it is the second largest in terms of passenger revenues in Kerala and the fifth largest in [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kerala railway stations ahead in passenger fare income|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/kerala-railway-stations-ahead-in-passenger-fare-income.html|access-date=26 December 2016|work=[[Malayala Manorama]]|date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103063307/http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/kerala-railway-stations-ahead-in-passenger-fare-income.html|archive-date=3 January 2016|location=Thrissur}}</ref> Ernakulam Junction is an [[Categorization of Indian Railway stations by commercial importance|NSG-2 classified station]] operated by the Southern Railway zone of the [[Indian Railways]] and comes under the [[Thiruvananthapuram railway division]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual Originating Passengers & Earnings for the year 2022-23 |url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1684323359924-annual%20earnings.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124065033/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1684323359924-annual%20earnings.pdf |archive-date=24 November 2023 |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=[[Indian Railways]]}}</ref> It is also the first fully disabled-friendly railway station in India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/ernakulam-is-india-s-1st-disabled-friendly-railway-station-thanks-to-this-resilient-woman-337375.html|title=Ernakulam Is India's 1st Disabled-Friendly Railway Station, Thanks To This Resilient Woman|work=[[India Times]]|access-date=2018-12-04}}</ref>
'''Ernakulam Junction railway station''' (also known as '''Ernakulam South''', code: '''ERS''') is the biggest railway station in the city of [[Kochi]] in [[Kerala]], [[India]]. Controlling 376 train routes at a time, it is the busiest [[List of railway junction stations in India|railway junction station]] in South India.


==DEMU Service==
== History ==
Ernakulam Junction was first opened as Ernakulam South in 1932 when the metre-gauge line then terminating at [[Ernakulam Terminus railway station]] (ERG) was extended from [[Pachalam]] to the [[Cochin Harbour Terminus]] on the [[Willingdon Island]] for proximity to the [[Cochin Port|Kochi Port]]. [[Ernakulam Town railway station|Ernakulam North]], Perumanur (later closed), [[Mattancherry|Mattanchery]] Halt and [[Cochin Harbour Terminus|CHTS]] were the newly opened stations on the route. In 1946 the station was converted into broad gauge as part of the [[Shoranur–Cochin Harbour section|Shoranur–CHTS]] line, linking it directly to the rest of India via the [[Mangalore]]–Jolarpet mainline at [[Shoranur Junction railway station|Shoranur Jn]]. In 1956 the [[Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam line|Ernakulam–Kottayam]] metre-gauge line was opened and further extended to [[Kollam Junction railway station|Kollam]] in 1958, joining to the [[Kollam–Thiruvananthapuram trunk line|Kollam–Trivandrum]] line, connecting Ernakulam with Trivandrum for the first time. This was what made Ernakulam Junction rise to prominence, which was until then just a small wayside station en route to the much busier Cochin Harbour Terminus station.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-07-08 |title=The history of Ernakulam Junction |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/Before-and-after-the-Jayanti-Janata/article14479828.ece |access-date=2023-12-09 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
DEMU service will start from the station(CHTS) to eranakulam junction(ERS) from september 26,2018 for one month on experimental basis. It will halt at Mattancheri Halt on both direction.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! colspan="4"| Demu Service
|-
! Source
! Destination
! Arrival
! Departure
|-style="background: #8B0000; color: white"
| Cochin Harbour Terminus(CHTS)
| Eranakulam Jn(ERS)
| 08:00
| 08:40
|-style="background: #8B0000; color: white"
| Eranakulam Jn(ERS)
| Cochin Harbour Terminus(CHTS)
| 09:00
| 09:40
|-style="background: #8B0000; color: white"
| Cochin Harbour Terminus(CHTS)
| Eranakulam Jn(ERS)
| 17:00
| 17:40
|-style="background: #8B0000; color: white"
| Eranakulam Jn(ERS)
| Cochin Harbour Terminus(CHTS)
| 18:20
| 19:00
|}


Since the opening of the [[Kottayam railway station|Kottayam]] line made the station a junction, it was renamed Ernakulam Junction, and the [[Ernakulam Town railway station|Ernakulam North station]] was renamed to [[Ernakulam Town railway station|Ernakulam Town]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/Before-and-after-the-Jayanti-Janata/article14479828.ece|title=Before and after the Jayanti Janata|last=PRADEEP|first=K.|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> Until 1979 when the Kottayam line was converted into broad gauge, Ernakulam junction had both broad and metre-gauge tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Heritage/india_08.jpg.html|title=Ernakulam Jn in 1976|publisher=IRFCA}}</ref> As the [[Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal line|coastal line]] to [[Alappuzha railway station|Alappuzha]] was opened in 1989, Ernakulam Junction rose to the status of the most premier railway station in central Kerala.
<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Ernakulam-Junction-Restrictions-on-train-traffic-from-Jan-30/articleshow/50712992.cms|title=Ernakulam Junction: Restrictions on train traffic from Jan 30|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2017-09-28}}</ref> At {{INRConvert|158|c|year=2016}}, it is the second largest in terms of passenger revenues in Kerala and the fifth largest in Southern Railway.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kerala railway stations ahead in passenger fare income|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/kerala-railway-stations-ahead-in-passenger-fare-income.html|accessdate=26 December 2016|work=[[Manoramaonline.com]]|date=1 January 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103063307/http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/kerala-railway-stations-ahead-in-passenger-fare-income.html|archivedate=3 January 2016|location=[[Thrissur]]}}</ref> It is an A1 classified station operated by the [[Southern Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]] and comes under the [[Thiruvananthapuram railway division]].


== History ==
===Renovation===
On 13 July 2022, a ₹299.9 crore budget was approved for the station's renovation. The renovation entails the erection of multi-story structures spanning a total built-up area of roughly 62,000 square metres on the station's eastern and western faces. On the eastern side, a different, three-story structure is being constructed. It will feature administrative offices, a hospital, and a passenger booking facility. A projected four-story structure is located on the western side. It will have waiting areas, ticketing areas and a commercial area with lifts and escalators connecting it to all stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=On the right track: 'World-class makeover' for Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2023/jan/14/on-the-right-track-world-class-makeover-forernakulam-junction-and-town-railway-stations-2537632.html |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Kerala's traditional architecture will be reflected in the station building's façade design. A ticketing area, waiting lounges, and commercial space will all be housed in the renovated West Terminal structure. Most notably, a skywalk will connect the complex to the [[Ernakulam South metro station|Ernakulam South Metro Station]]. In total, 22 lifts and 14 escalators will be added to the current fleet. There will be set up multi-level parking (MLCP) with space for 108 automobiles and 90 two-wheelers in addition to EV charging stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=300-crore renovation work of Ernakulam south railway station progressing fast |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2022/dec/15/300-crorerenovation-work-of-ernakulam-south-railway-station-progressing-fast-2528212.html |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
Ernakulam Jn was first opened as Ernakulam South in 1932 when the meter gauge line then terminating at Ernakulam (Old) Terminus (ERG) was extended from Pachalam to the [[Cochin Harbour Terminus railway station|Cochin Harbor Terminus (CHTS)]] Station on the [[Willingdon Island]] for proximity to the Kochi Port. Ernakulam North, Perumanur (later closed), Mattanchery Halt and CHTS were the newly opened stations on the route. In 1946 the station was converted into broad gauge as part of the Shoranur-CHTS line, linking it directly to the rest of India via the Mangalore-Jolarpet mainline at [[Shoranur Junction railway station|Shoranur Jn]]. In 1956 the Ernakulam-Kottayam meter gauge line was opened and further extended to Kollam in 1958, joining to the Kollam-Trivandrum line, connecting Ernakulam with Trivandrum for the first time.


On 29 September 2024, The railways announced plans to expand platform number 2 at the station to accommodate 24 coach trains. Future extensions of other platforms are being considered as well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2024-09-27 |title=Platform-2 at Ernakulam Junction to be extended to host 24-coach trains |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/platform-2-at-ernakulam-junction-to-be-extended-to-host-24-coach-trains/article68687499.ece/amp/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Since the opening of the Kottayam line made it a junction, Ernakulam South was renamed Ernakulam Junction, and Ernakulam North was renamed Ernakulam Town. This was what made Ernakulam Jn rise to prominence, which was until then just a small wayside station en route to the much busier Cochin Harbour Terminus station.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/Before-and-after-the-Jayanti-Janata/article14479828.ece|title=Before and after the Jayanti Janata|last=PRADEEP|first=K.|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=2016-12-19}}</ref> Until 1979 when the Kottayam line was converted into broad gauge, ERS had both broad and meter gauge tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Heritage/india_08.jpg.html|title=Ernakulam Jn in 1976|last=|first=|date=|website=IRFCA.org|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=}}</ref> As the [[Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal railway line|coastal line]] to Alappuzha was opened in 1989, Ernakulam Jn rose to the status of the most premier railway station in central Kerala.


== Layout ==
== Layout ==
Ernakulam Jn is a railway junction with lines branching off from it to four different directions:
Ernakulam Junction has four lines branching off from it to four different directions:
* North towards Chennai/Bangalore(via Palakkad) and Mumbai(via Shoranur - Kozhikode)
* North towards [[Chennai Central railway station|Chennai]]/[[Bangalore City railway station|Bangalore]]/[[Secunderabad Junction railway station|Hyderabad]] (via [[Palakkad Junction railway station|Palakkad]]) and [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus|Mumbai]]/[[Ahmedabad Junction railway station|Ahmedabad]] (via [[Kozhikode railway station|Kozhikode]] and [[Konkan Railway]])
* South towards Thiruvananthapuram via Alappuzha-Kayamkulam
* South towards [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station|Thiruvananthapuram]] via [[Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal line|Alappuzha–Kollam]]
* South-west towards [[Willingdon Island]] and CHTS
* South-west towards [[Willingdon Island]] and [[Cochin Harbour Terminus]] (CHTS)
* East towards Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam-Kayamkulam
* East towards [[Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station|Thiruvananthapuram]] via [[Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam line|Kottayam–Kollam]]
The station has six platforms to handle long distance trains and local trains and two entrances (the Main entry and the Eastern entry). Its A1 classification is the highest a station can achieve on Indian Railways. It does have all amenities expected out of a major junction including a paid air-conditioned lounge with free WiFi, a library, rest room, children's play areas etc. However, the station lacks the spread-out roominess and large built-up area of similarly large stations. Ernakulam Junction was the first railway station in Kerala to have an escalator. It was installed on 9 September 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Willingdon-island-to-be-developed-as-grain-storage-hub/2013/09/10/article1776824.ece|title='Willingdon island to be developed as grain storage hub'|date=10 September 2013|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref> Currently all its platforms are served by escalators.
The station has six platforms to handle long-distance trains and local trains and two entrances (the Main entry and the Eastern entry). It does have all amenities expected out of a major junction including a paid air-conditioned lounge with free Wi-Fi, a library, rest room, children's play areas etc. However, the station lacks the spread-out roominess and large built-up area of similarly large stations. Ernakulam Junction was the first railway station in Kerala to have an escalator. It was installed on 9 September 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Willingdon-island-to-be-developed-as-grain-storage-hub/2013/09/10/article1776824.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912040251/http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Willingdon-island-to-be-developed-as-grain-storage-hub/2013/09/10/article1776824.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2013|title='Willingdon island to be developed as grain storage hub'|date=10 September 2013|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref> Currently all its platforms are served by escalators.


==Important trains originating from Ernakulam Junction==

The following trains starting from Ernakulam Junction station:

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="background:#fff;"
|-
!scope="col"| Train name
|-
| [[Ernakulam–H.Nizamuddin Duronto Express]]
|-
| [[Mangala Lakshadweep Express]]
|-
| [[Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Ernakulam Duronto Express]]
|-
| [[Ernakulam–Bilaspur Express]]
|-
| [[Ernakulam–Okha Express]]
|-
| Ernakulam–Banaswadi Superfast Express
|-
|[[Tea Garden Express|Ernakulam-Karaikal Tea Garden Express]]
|-
| [[Bangalore City–Ernakulam Intercity Express]]
|-
| [[Ernakulam–Patna Express (via Tirupati)]]
|-
| [[Ernakulam–Patna Express (via Chennai)]]
|-
| [[Dharti Aaba AC Superfast Express]]
|-
| [[Howrah–Ernakulam Antyodaya Express]]
|-
| [[Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express|Ernakulam–Tatanagar Express]]
|-
| [[Vanchinad Express|Ernakulam–Trivandrum Vanchinad(via Kottayam)]]
|-
| [[Millennium Express|Ernakulam–Nizamudeen Millennium Express (via Palakkad)]]
|-
| [[Marusagar Express]]
|-
| [[Raptisagar Express|Ernakulam-Barauni Raptisagar Express]]
|-
| [[Ernakulam–Kannur Intercity Express]]
|-
| [[Pune–Ernakulam Express]]
|-
| [[Poorna Express]]
|}

==See also==
*[[Ernakulam Town railway station]]
*[[Ernakulam Terminus railway station]]
*[[Cochin Harbour Terminus]]


==References==
==References==
Line 94: Line 123:


==External links==
==External links==

{{ccat}}
www.irctc.com
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/ Southern Railway zone]
*[http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/ Southern Railway zone]
*{{IndiaRailInfo|52}}
*{{IndiaRailInfo|52}}


{{Kochi (India) topics}}
{{Kochi (India)}}
{{Thiruvananthapuram railway division}}
{{Trivandrum Railway Division}}
{{THBSOIR}}


[[Category:Railway stations in India opened in 1932]]
[[Category:Railway junction stations in Kerala]]
[[Category:Railway junction stations in Kerala]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Kochi]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Kochi]]

Latest revision as of 15:36, 28 November 2024

For the other major railway station in Ernakulam, see Ernakulam Town railway station.

Ernakulam Junction

Ernakulam South
Indian Railways station
Main entrance of Ernakulam Junction before the reconstruction in 2022
General information
LocationKochi, Kerala
Coordinates9°58′08″N 76°17′30″E / 9.96885°N 76.29160°E / 9.96885; 76.29160
Owned byIndian Railways
Operated bySouthern Railway zone
Line(s)Ernakulam–Kottayam–Kayamkulam line,
Shoranur–Cochin Harbour section
Ernakulam–Alappuzha–Kayamkulam
Ernakulam Junction–Cochin Harbour Terminus
Platforms6
Tracks10
Construction
ParkingAvailable
Bicycle facilitiesavailable
AccessibleDisabled access
Other information
StatusActive
Station codeERS
Fare zoneSouthern Railway zone
ClassificationNSG-2
History
Opened1932; 92 years ago (1932)
Rebuilt1946; 78 years ago (1946) (first)
August 2025; 7 months' time (August 2025) (second)
Electrified2000; 24 years ago (2000)
Passengers
2018–1953,698 per day [1]
Annual passengers – 1,96,00,000 (2021–22)
Rank3 (in Kerala)
2 (in Trivandrum division)
Location
Map
Interactive map

Ernakulam Junction railway station (also known as Ernakulam South, station code: ERS[2]) is an NSG–2 category Indian railway station in Thiruvananthapuram railway division of Southern Railway zone.[3] It is the main railway terminus in the city of Kochi, Kerala. Controlling 376 train routes at a time, it is one of busiest railway stations in South India and an important railway hub.[4] At ₹158 crore (equivalent to ₹196 crore or US$23 million in 2023) in financial year 2018–19, it is the second largest in terms of passenger revenues in Kerala and the fifth largest in Southern Railway.[5] Ernakulam Junction is an NSG-2 classified station operated by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways and comes under the Thiruvananthapuram railway division.[6] It is also the first fully disabled-friendly railway station in India.[7]

History

[edit]

Ernakulam Junction was first opened as Ernakulam South in 1932 when the metre-gauge line then terminating at Ernakulam Terminus railway station (ERG) was extended from Pachalam to the Cochin Harbour Terminus on the Willingdon Island for proximity to the Kochi Port. Ernakulam North, Perumanur (later closed), Mattanchery Halt and CHTS were the newly opened stations on the route. In 1946 the station was converted into broad gauge as part of the Shoranur–CHTS line, linking it directly to the rest of India via the Mangalore–Jolarpet mainline at Shoranur Jn. In 1956 the Ernakulam–Kottayam metre-gauge line was opened and further extended to Kollam in 1958, joining to the Kollam–Trivandrum line, connecting Ernakulam with Trivandrum for the first time. This was what made Ernakulam Junction rise to prominence, which was until then just a small wayside station en route to the much busier Cochin Harbour Terminus station.[8]

Since the opening of the Kottayam line made the station a junction, it was renamed Ernakulam Junction, and the Ernakulam North station was renamed to Ernakulam Town.[9] Until 1979 when the Kottayam line was converted into broad gauge, Ernakulam junction had both broad and metre-gauge tracks.[10] As the coastal line to Alappuzha was opened in 1989, Ernakulam Junction rose to the status of the most premier railway station in central Kerala.

Renovation

[edit]

On 13 July 2022, a ₹299.9 crore budget was approved for the station's renovation. The renovation entails the erection of multi-story structures spanning a total built-up area of roughly 62,000 square metres on the station's eastern and western faces. On the eastern side, a different, three-story structure is being constructed. It will feature administrative offices, a hospital, and a passenger booking facility. A projected four-story structure is located on the western side. It will have waiting areas, ticketing areas and a commercial area with lifts and escalators connecting it to all stations.[11] Kerala's traditional architecture will be reflected in the station building's façade design. A ticketing area, waiting lounges, and commercial space will all be housed in the renovated West Terminal structure. Most notably, a skywalk will connect the complex to the Ernakulam South Metro Station. In total, 22 lifts and 14 escalators will be added to the current fleet. There will be set up multi-level parking (MLCP) with space for 108 automobiles and 90 two-wheelers in addition to EV charging stations.[12]

On 29 September 2024, The railways announced plans to expand platform number 2 at the station to accommodate 24 coach trains. Future extensions of other platforms are being considered as well.[13]

Layout

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Ernakulam Junction has four lines branching off from it to four different directions:

The station has six platforms to handle long-distance trains and local trains and two entrances (the Main entry and the Eastern entry). It does have all amenities expected out of a major junction including a paid air-conditioned lounge with free Wi-Fi, a library, rest room, children's play areas etc. However, the station lacks the spread-out roominess and large built-up area of similarly large stations. Ernakulam Junction was the first railway station in Kerala to have an escalator. It was installed on 9 September 2013.[14] Currently all its platforms are served by escalators.

Important trains originating from Ernakulam Junction

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The following trains starting from Ernakulam Junction station:

Train name
Ernakulam–H.Nizamuddin Duronto Express
Mangala Lakshadweep Express
Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Ernakulam Duronto Express
Ernakulam–Bilaspur Express
Ernakulam–Okha Express
Ernakulam–Banaswadi Superfast Express
Ernakulam-Karaikal Tea Garden Express
Bangalore City–Ernakulam Intercity Express
Ernakulam–Patna Express (via Tirupati)
Ernakulam–Patna Express (via Chennai)
Dharti Aaba AC Superfast Express
Howrah–Ernakulam Antyodaya Express
Ernakulam–Tatanagar Express
Ernakulam–Trivandrum Vanchinad(via Kottayam)
Ernakulam–Nizamudeen Millennium Express (via Palakkad)
Marusagar Express
Ernakulam-Barauni Raptisagar Express
Ernakulam–Kannur Intercity Express
Pune–Ernakulam Express
Poorna Express

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Annual originating passengers and earnings for the year 2018–19 - Thiruvananthapuram Division" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Station Code Index" (PDF). Portal of Indian Railways. Centre For Railway Information Systems. 2023–24. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  3. ^ "SOUTHERN RAILWAY LIST OF STATIONS AS ON 01.04.2023 (CATEGORY- WISE)" (PDF). Portal of Indian Railways. Centre For Railway Information Systems. 1 April 2023. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Ernakulam Junction: Restrictions on train traffic from Jan 30". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Kerala railway stations ahead in passenger fare income". Malayala Manorama. Thrissur. 1 January 2016. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Annual Originating Passengers & Earnings for the year 2022-23" (PDF). Indian Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Ernakulam Is India's 1st Disabled-Friendly Railway Station, Thanks To This Resilient Woman". India Times. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  8. ^ "The history of Ernakulam Junction". The Hindu. 8 July 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  9. ^ PRADEEP, K. "Before and after the Jayanti Janata". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Ernakulam Jn in 1976". IRFCA.
  11. ^ "On the right track: 'World-class makeover' for Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  12. ^ "300-crore renovation work of Ernakulam south railway station progressing fast". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  13. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (27 September 2024). "Platform-2 at Ernakulam Junction to be extended to host 24-coach trains". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 September 2024. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ "'Willingdon island to be developed as grain storage hub'". The New Indian Express. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 12 September 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
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