Hibi Eden’s Suggestion To Make Ernakulam Marshalling Yard “Worth 50,000 Cr” Of Land (Source: keralarail.com)
Today in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Hibi Eden highlighted the potential of the Ernakulam marshalling yard, a 110-acre property owned by Indian Railways, as a transformative project. Located at the heart of Ernakulam constituency, the land holds immense strategic value, connecting key transit systems like the Kochi Metro, India’s first Water Metro, and the Vyttila Mobility Hub.
Eden emphasised the financial and logistical significance of the area, stating that its current valuation of ₹50 lakh per cent could soar to a whopping ₹50,000 crore if developed efficiently. He proposed the creation of a new railway terminal at the site to integrate various modes of transport under a single multimodal system. Such a development, he noted, could make Ernakulam a model of urban connectivity.
“If Indian Railways takes the initiative, this project can revolutionise urban transportation and maximise land utility,” said Eden. “Imagine a single ticket allowing passengers to seamlessly travel on the railway, metro, water metro, and buses—a true game-changer.”
He further pressed for increased services of the Vande Bharat Express on the Kochi-Bangalore route, particularly focusing on night schedules to cater to high demand. “Kerala urgently needs more Vande Bharat trains, especially on critical routes. A night service could significantly enhance travel convenience,” he remarked.
“Kerala’s biggest challenge is land scarcity. When such prime land is available, we must utilise it for the greater good,” he concluded.
Currently, the marshalling yard is underutilised, primarily functioning for train movement and goods yard operations. However, proposals have been made to transform this space into a state-of-the-art coaching terminal, combining the yard with the adjacent coach yard. This redevelopment could alleviate congestion at the Ernakulam Junction, where line capacity has reached critical limits during peak hours.
