Why travellers strain at Ezhimala railway station

Payyannur: The erstwhile royal house of Ezhimala holds a significant position in the history of Kerala. When the British built a railway station at Kunjimangalam, a kilometre away from the area, they named it Ezhimala railway station in honour of the royal house.

However, the Indian Railways failed to contribute much to this railway station established by the British.

The Malabar Express, Kannur-Mangaluru Passenger, Coimbatore-Mangaluru Fast Passenger and the Kannur-Cheruvathur Passenger are the only trains that stop at the Ezhimala railway station.

The station nameboards are not be seen on the platforms as four of them are covered with shrubs and creepers. Without any other sign posts, most travellers on train find it difficult even to recognise the railway station.

The almost roofless platforms are also enveloped with dense shrubs. A roof is seen in front of the old building at the platform number 1.

Though a new building was constructed, the adjacent stretch of the platform was left without a cover above. Narrow roofs which are have been constructed at three places on the platform number 2.

Passengers are also inconvenienced without a foot-overbridge connecting the platforms. Those who need to catch a train towards Kannur have to trundle a long distance to reach the right platform.