Clock tower collapse: Kozhikode MLAs demand accountability, question delays in station redevelopment

Kozhikode MLAs have demanded immediate accountability from the Railways following the collapse of a clock tower during renovation work at Kozhikode railway station on Thursday (July 9, 2026).

Speaking to the media, Kozhikode South MLA Fyzal Babu said, “The station master informed us that the clock tower was scheduled to be demolished at 10 a.m. on Thursday. The area had already been cordoned off, so no one was near it when it collapsed. Train services were severely disrupted. Trains from the north had to terminate at Vellayil and other nearby stations, while those from the south terminated at Feroke. Only Platform No. 4 remained operational after the accident, and it was used to facilitate the movement of passenger trains.”

“The clock tower should have been demolished before the railway station redevelopment work began. Unfortunately, the project has been delayed. The Southern Railway should dismiss all officials associated with Kozhikode railway station at the earliest,” he added.

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Kozhikode North MLA K. Jayanth said a major disaster was averted on Thursday. “An inspection team from Palakkad visited the site on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) and had planned to demolish the clock tower. Had the railway station redevelopment work progressed faster, the collapse might have been avoided. Commuters will face difficulties as a result. The redevelopment work has been carried out in a sloppy manner,” he added.

“Officials informed us that the piling work had led to the collapse. There should be a proper inquiry into the delay in the redevelopment work and why the structure was not demolished before the work began,” Mr. Jayanth said.