M.K. Raghavan demands high-level probe into Kozhikode station clock tower collapse

M.K. Raghavan, MP, has demanded that the Railways conduct an urgent, high-level investigation into the collapse of the over-a-century-old clock tower at Kozhikode railway station on Thursday,

Mr. Raghavan said the clock tower, the face and main attraction of Kozhikode railway station, collapsed onto the heavily congested Platform No. 2, which is used daily by thousands of passengers. It was a matter of sheer luck that a major disaster was averted, he added.

He said the Railways must clarify whether the piling work carried out near the clock tower had compromised the structural stability of the century-old heritage structure. The contracting company should also explain the precautions taken to ensure that the piling work, undertaken as part of the station redevelopment project, did not damage the clock tower or other nearby structures.

Meanwhile, the Vyapari Vyavasayi Samiti has demanded that the Southern Railway take comprehensive measures to expedite the redevelopment work at Kozhikode railway station.

​Samiti district president Surya Gafoor and secretary Santhosh Sebastian said the collapsed clock tower should have been demolished long ago as part of the station modernisation works.

The construction work, which commenced in June 2024 with a three-year deadline, was at a stage where not even a quarter of the project had been completed. The company that secured the contract was proceeding at a snail’s pace with a negligible number of labourers, the office-bearers said.

They also said the demolition of sections of the station as part of the redevelopment work had resulted in a severe shortage of vehicle parking. They added that the road in front of the station was plagued by heavy traffic congestion, while the recent rain had caused severe waterlogging.