After a long wait, the construction work of Nemon coaching terminal started on Wednesday. Till date Railway authorities had been neglecting Nemom coaching terminal, despite being aware of the fact that it is the only solution for suffocation due to congestion felt at Thiruvananthapuram station, which has space constraints for expansion.
Apart from finding mention in Railway budgets, Nemom coaching terminal have never got any importance among projects funded by the Central government. However, the project coming to the notice of authorities, at least ahead of election, is heart-warming.

Though, the Nemom coaching terminal was conceptualised eleven years ago, nothing progressive happened just because of the general neglect the railways has been having towards railway development works in Kerala. Neither the State governments nor people’s representatives have been able to do anything about it.
Voice against neglect is usually raised soon after the budget and after that it is total silence. Two years ago, for the first time, Rs 65 cr was set apart for Nemom coaching terminal. This was raised to Rs 77 cr during the last budget. But this was not utilised. 30 acre land acquired by the government and handed over to the railways for the terminal remains covered with creepers and weeds now.

75 acre more is needed for the complete expansion of the terminal. Now we can expect that the railways will speed up the project since the green signal has been given for the first-phase construction.

With the upgradation of Nemom station as coaching terminal station, the remaining expansion of Kochuveli satellite station will also have to be taken up.
The railways has not been able to complete the expansion that was started two decades ago. Several trainings have starting and ending point at Kochuveli due to lack of facilities in the Central station. Other than that, there have been no development in this station.
Developments in Nemom and Kochuveli railway stations will reduce the current rush in the Central Station, where it will be possible to start more trains subsequently.
Construction of platforms at Nemom terminal will end the long await of trains for platforms.

Facilities proposed to be created at Nemam as part of this New Coaching Terminal at Nemam are
1. Five Stabling Lines
2. One Common Loop
3.One Down Main Line and One (1) Up Main Line
4. Two platforms
5. Three ROBs and One (1) Aquaduct reconstruction
6. One Foot Over Bridge
7. One Shunting Neck
8. Related Signallingand Electrical
9) Quarters for employees and workshop

The main reasons for neglecting Kerala’s cry for new trains are inconveniences at the central stations and dearth of railway lines.
The aim is to finish the first phase of the Nemom terminal by next November. This will be possible only if the works are finished on time-bound manner. State government and people’s representatives should also yearn for this.
Considering the importance of the capital city, its development is possible only if air-rail-road services are improved ten times. But Thiruvananthapuram airport expansion is caught in privatisation issue. Even the State government has moved court against it, while what is more important is business and commercial interest of the commuters. In that case, the State government’s move now seemingly goes against the interest of the city.

In the case of road transport expansion also, Kerala is way behind other states. No new project is coming up other than those confined to Thampanoor and East Fort.
The proposal for building a new bus terminal at Enchakkal for long distance buses also remain in paper. The city will grow with people only when the government comes forward to provide new convenience to the people to meet their travel needs.