A contentious decision to slash the width of the proposed concourse at Kozhikode railway station from an envisioned 48 meters to a mere 24 meters has ignited a wave of public and commuter protests. This change directly impacts the vital link between the station’s east and west terminals.
During a review meeting on October 10, chaired by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian, local representatives voiced strong objections. They cautioned railway officials that this reduction would inevitably lead to significant long-term inconvenience for daily commuters and travelers.
Adding to the growing dissent, Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan has formally appealed to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the chairman of the railway standing committee. He urged them to intervene and overturn the decision, emphasizing that attempting to widen the concourse at a future date would be both prohibitively expensive and a logistical nightmare. Railway authorities, however, have defended the move, citing ‘cost-cutting’ and ‘ease of construction’ as their primary motivations.
This station is currently undergoing a massive ₹445.95 crore redevelopment under the Amrut scheme, aspiring to meet international standards. The ambitious project envisions transforming the facility into a state-of-the-art, passenger-centric terminal, boasting advanced infrastructure, improved amenities, and a modern aesthetic, aligning with Indian Railways’ goal of creating world-class stations. Designed with a 40-year foresight, the initial phase is slated for completion by June of next year.
Originally, the concourse was highlighted as a key feature of the redevelopment, designed to house diverse facilities like shopping zones, coffee shops, and restaurants. Crucially, it was intended to be accessible to the general public without requiring platform entry, thereby drawing more visitors beyond just travelers. But with its width now halved, there’s concern that many of these planned amenities might not come to fruition. Furthermore, this reduction risks severe overcrowding, especially given that Kozhikode is one of South India’s busiest stations, handling an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 passengers daily.
Despite the controversy, other redevelopment efforts at the station are reportedly proceeding at a steady pace. Railway authorities confirm that the new health unit’s construction is nearly finished, and work on a crucial multi-level car parking facility is well underway.