Changanasseri railway station

Changanasseri railway station (station code: CGY) is an NSG–4 category Indian railway station in Thiruvananthapuram railway division of Southern Railway zone. It is a railway station in Kottayam district, Kerala. Changanassery is the second largest railway station in Kottayam district. It is an NSG 4 category station. There is a chance to halt few more trains in Changanacherry due to the increase in the number of the rushing passengers in Kottayam and Thiruvalla station from Kanjirappally, Changanassery and Kuttanad regions.

History
The first train running from Changanassery railway station was established in 1958. Though Railway traffic was set up at Ernakulam and Trivandrum in the form of Kerala, these connections were not directly connected. In 1956, the metre-gauge was constructed from Ernakulam to Kottayam. Then in 1958 it was extended from Kottayam to Changanassery and linked with Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram Central. The metre-gauge line from Changanassery was moved by broad gauge and the railway transportation was started in 1976 by Chief minister of Kerala C. Achutha Menon.

Significance
Changanacherry railway station is the nearest rail station to reach famous pilgrimage places like Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple, Erumely, Basilica of St. Mary, Champakulam, Kuttanad, Vembanad Lake, Vagamon, Kumily, Thekkady, St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, Changanassery, Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanassery. It serves the people of 3 districts – Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki district.

Changanacherry station is expected to get ISO certification soon.

Changanacherry station bagged 299th position among the stations cleanliness ranking by SWACHH RAIL, SWACHH BHARAT Cleanliness assessment of Non-Suburban and Suburban Stations by Ministry of Railways, India.