![]() Helmed by the British, the station in the 40s was a critical cog in the establishment and development of Cochin as a major trading hub in south India.Īfter Independence, the CHT got linked to the broad gauge line and became an important artery of south-east and south-west railway traffic. Built during the British rule and opened to the public in 1943, the CHT initially saw freight traffic from the Cochin Port and the movement of thousands of wagons containing tea, coffee and coir to be exported to countries around the world. Joseph’s attachment to the short, but scenic train route stems from the prime and glorious years of the CHT as one of Kerala’s most important railway terminals before it fell into disrepair in the early 90s. But Railways must not stop the service at any cost,” he said. That’s why it should be extended, perhaps to Thrissur or Kottayam so that it can benefit the office crowd. “I agree there’s no logic in running the train on such a short route. He had paid Rs 120 for an auto rickshaw ride to reach the CHT for the simple pleasure of travelling on the train. On Monday, Joseph, who works as a supervisor at the Naval Base, and his son were among the dozen passengers who settled themselves comfortably in the cushioned seats of the DEMU waiting for the ride to begin. The Cochin Harbour Terminus (CHT) station Who knows what the future of the train’s gonna be!” he sighed. The orders came from above and we are working. ![]() “It’s always somebody higher-up who decides these things. It’s a joke is what it is,” he said, before hoisting himself into the cab.Ī technician, associated with the train, said it came as a surprise to him when the Railways announced such a short service especially on a route bustling with private bus services. The day before that, I think there were four people. “The other day, we completed a run with two people. The Cochin Harbour Terminus-Ernakulam Jn DEMU departing for its evening service from the British-era CHT station on Willingdon Island /o63QpzX4UM The loco pilot of the train laughed out loud when asked about its popularity among commuters. The green-liveried DEMU currently shuttles twice a day in the morning and evening hours between CHT, located on Willingdon Island home to the Cochin Port Trust and the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, and Ernakulam Junction, the principal railway station serving Kochi.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |