Etakkot railway station needs facelift to draw tourists to Muzhappilangad

Etakkot: There have been constant demands arising from various corners about implementing different developmental projects at the Etakkot railway station which would draw tourists to the nearby Muzhappilangad drive in beach.

Sign boards indicating the presence of the drive in beach close by, should be erected at the railway station to attract the attention of the passengers. Besides, a road should be built from the backside of the railway station to reach the beach easily.

People in the locality have been, for so long, demanding that the station should be rechristened 'Muzhappilangad Drive in Beach Railway Station.' Presently only passenger trains have stops at this station. The railway hasn't even considered the demand for the construction of an over head foot bridge across the tracks which would ensure the safety of the commuters.

It is reported that the project hasn't yet shown a green signal as the number of passengers boarding from this railway station is significantly less. There is also a goods shed functioning at the Etakkot railway station which is beneficial for the Muzhappilangad FCA godown.

Though the Muzhappilangad beach is known as the largest drive in beach in Asia, there aren't even basic facilities arranged here for the visitors. There are 4 small roads to the beach from the national highway between Muzhappilangad and Etakkot. The development of these roads is not possible as they run through densely populated areas. Tourism experts say that more tourists could be attracted to the drive in beach and the nearby Etakkot and Ezhara beaches and Dharmadam isles, if the Etakkot railway station is renovated by introducing modern facilities and also by allowing stops for more trains running through this route.