Cherthala: The premises of Cherthala railway station have become a zone of concern for passengers, with unchecked wild growth, reptiles, and stray dogs posing serious threats to the public and railway staff alike. Overgrown shrubs dominate both the eastern and western sides of the station, making access risky during early mornings and late nights.

On Saturday, a passenger, Jayaraj (26), son of Jayakumar of Uthradam House in Ward 23 of Cherthala municipality, was bitten by a snake near the station. He had come to board the Guruvayur Express around 3 am. The youths who had accompanied him initially took him to the Cherthala Taluk Hospital and later shifted him to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, where he is now being treated in the intensive care unit.

Jayaraj and two friends were on their way to attend a wedding in Kannur when the incident happened.

The western side of the station remains particularly dense with shrubbery, while passengers heading toward platform 2 from the eastern side are also forced to pass through unmaintained, overgrown paths. Repeated requests from passengers to clear the area have gone unanswered.

Lack of proper lighting in the vicinity of the station further aggravates the danger. Passengers arriving at night must navigate dark stretches, increasing the risk of accidents, especially when chased by stray dogs while running to board trains.