Centre Agrees to Kerala’s Request, Drops Railway Station Closure Plan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre has accepted Kerala’s request and decided not to proceed with the closure of two railway stations in the state. Vellarkad station in Kozhikode district and Chirakkal station in Kannur district will continue to function as halt stations.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that the decision was taken following a formal request from Kerala’s Minister in charge of Railways, V Abdurahiman. The state government had urged the Centre to reconsider the closure plan, citing the inconvenience it would cause to hundreds of regular passengers.
In his letter to the Railway Minister, Abdurahiman highlighted that shutting down the stations would adversely affect daily commuters, including workers, employees, and students who have been depending on these stations for decades.
Following the state's intervention, the Railways decided to retain both stations with basic facilities as halt stations, ensuring continued service to local passengers.