Thiruvananthapuram South railway station upgrade gains momentum

Time of India

19 hours ago

Thiruvananthapuram: The redevelopment of Thiruvananthapuram South railway station (formerly Nemom) has entered a crucial phase, with nearly 60% of the sanctioned work complete.
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The project includes a modern coaching terminal and track doubling, both key to easing congestion at Thiruvananthapuram Central.
According to railway sources, the modern station building's foundation is already 70% complete. "Platform shelters on the freshly constructed platforms 2 and 3 are now fully complete, while the shelters for platform 4 are about 75% finished. Construction is progressing steadily on the subway that will connect all platforms.
At the coaching terminal, which will house facilities for parking and maintenance of trains, core earthworks and pit-line construction are nearly complete. Track doubling is set to be finished first, while the terminal itself is scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2026.
The Union railway ministry has given the project high priority. Once complete, the station will function as a satellite hub, shifting a significant share of maintenance, stabling and operational load away from the overcrowded Central station.
The upgraded plan now includes four platforms, two extra pit-lines, four stabling lines and a repair shed, offering facilities comparable to Central.
During a Feb 2025 review visit, Union minister of state for railways V Somanna expanded the project's scope, reaffirming its importance in meeting the capital's long-term rail demands. The project, estimated to cost Rs 117 crore, is being built on railway-owned land, ensuring faster execution.
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Accessibility is also being addressed. A new approach road from the Karamana–Kaliyikkavila state highway has been cleared, with 1.84 acres sanctioned by the state govt. This is crucial since the current road is too narrow to handle expected traffic growth. The Union home ministry has also approved renaming Nemom station to Thiruvananthapuram South, aligning with efforts to streamline rail operations and station identities.
Railway officials have stressed that the new terminal will be central to decongesting Thiruvananthapuram Central, enabling smoother train operations, better stabling capacity, and modernized maintenance facilities.
Meanwhile, Southern Railway is carrying out upgrades across the region. At Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli), work on the new station building, lifts, tactile paving and shelters is nearing completion. Redevelopment is also advancing at Neyyattinkara and Thiruvananthapuram Central, with timelines stretching through 2025 and 2026.