The
Ernakulam South Railway Station was another attraction. It was not as extensive
as it is now. There were trains going to the South only up to Trivandrum. To
the North the farthest point was Madras. If one’s destination was beyond that,
like New Delhi, a connecting train, Jayanti Janatha, had to be taken from
Madras to reach New Delhi. The duration of the journey too was very long, three
long days on the train, as the steam engines used then could not move any
faster. I was amazed to note that the huge engine operated with the application
of steam power. ‘Ammachi’ told us,
“James Watt was the inventor who devised the first closed cylinder with a
piston pushed back and forth by steam. It was George Stephenson who constructed
the first practical locomotive in 1814. It was the Raja of Cochin who invested
huge amounts to extend the railway line from Thrissur to Cochin.”
It
is pertinent to note that large quantities of timber were used for laying the
teak sleepers in our extensive railway net work. It was officially estimated
that almost two thousand trees were
required per mile of railway line. ‘Ammachi’
told me, “Railway net work was essential for the colonial trade and for the
movement of imperial troops. The British colonialists indiscriminately felled
and removed large quantity of valuable timber like Teak, Rosewood and others from
areas like Parambikulam Forest in Kerala to build their ships, palatial
bungalows and furniture; and for fuel in their locomotives, brick and tile
factories.”
I noticed that the railway station areas as
well as the passengers coming out of the train were dirty, because of the smoke
emitted by the steam engine. The railway station compound too was dirty with
cow dung and urine. All these sights of the town were very interesting to us,
young children. We could not stay longer than eight o’clock at night as the
last boat back home was around half past eight.
I
am amazed at the speedy developments in the Southern Railway during the last three decades. The teak wood sleepers
were substituted by concrete beam support; narrow gauge lines were changed to
broad gauge lines; steam engines gave way for diesel engines and now electric
powered engines have become common. It increased speed and reduced distance by
time. It helped the speedy transportation of goods. The railway is the biggest
employer in the country. Lakhs of commuters and passengers make use of this
transport which is comparatively economical.
In
order to further speed up traffic in the longer routes from the South via
Kottayam to the Northern destinations like New-Delhi, Bombay, Kolkotha and
other places, a new straight railway line, avoiding the circuitous route
through Ernakulam, having a length of hardly 10 kilometers should be
constructed in between Trippunithura and Kalamassery stations via Kakkanad Civil Station limit.
This will ease pressure of floating population in Ernakulam South and North
railway stations and at least two hours time can be saved for passengers going
in the longer routes. Stops may be provided at Trippunithura and Kalamassery or
Aluva stations to reduce the inconvenience of passengers. Rajadhani Express
train may be run on Alleppy route on alternate days for the convenience of
passengers from Ernakulam as well. Those who alight at Trippunithra or
Kalamassery or Aluva can make use of the proposed Metro services coming up
shortly. I sincerely hope that wisdom would prevail upon the politicians and
the authorities concerned. It shall not be delayed on parochial considerations.
The Railways as a service oriented body, should give high priority in
enhancing the safety of their passengers, improving amenities provided at
railway stations, such as ticketing, catering and cabin quality.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@google.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
