Modernisation of Alappuzha railway station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme of the Union Ministry of Railways is making slow progress.
K.C. Venugopal, MP, has written to Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar seeking to expedite the project. In his letter, the Alappuzha MP highlighted the deplorable condition of the railway station’s approach road. Mr. Venugopal said that poor condition of the road was causing significant inconvenience to thousands of daily commuters.
The renovation, valued at ₹6 crore, includes the widening of the approach road from nine metres to 12 metres, along with the construction of drains, pavements, parking lots and platforms.
“The indefinite delays in their completion have exacerbated the challenges faced by passengers. The approach road, connecting Beach road at the level crossing to the railway station, is riddled with potholes and experiences severe waterlogging, particularly along the tiled pavement and near the entrance gate. Four large holes on both sides of the gate and a significant waterlogged area adjacent to the pavement have made the road hazardous, especially for two-wheeler riders who risk accidents while avoiding these obstacles,” the letter said.
Mr. Venugopal said the resumption of bus services on Railway Station road after a two-month suspension had not improved the situation, as the road’s poor condition continues to impede safe and efficient travel. “Passengers arriving by taxis and two-wheelers face considerable difficulties navigating the road, which undermines the accessibility and functionality of the railway station,” he said.
The MP urged the Railway Board Chairman to expedite the completion of the ongoing renovation works at Alappuzha railway station “to ensure timely delivery of the infrastructure improvements promised under the Amrit Bharat project and prioritise the tarring and maintenance of the railway approach road to address potholes and waterlogging, ensuring safe and smooth access for all commuters.”
The development works were originally expected to be completed by March 2025 but have been delayed.
Considering the tourism importance of Alappuzha railway station, Mr. Venugopal recently requested the Ministry of Railways to upgrade it to the Non-Suburban Group-2 (NSG-2) category.
Published – September 06, 2025 05:09 pm IST
