KOCHI: In a bid to revolutionise train travel, the Railways has started specialty trains, but its infrastructure build-up never lives up to the billing.
As many as 60 rail over-bridges were sanctioned in the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division but only 26 have been completed till date. The numbers show why the Railways remain as a slow coach.
Railway officials said some of these rail overbridges require funding from the state government. Delay in sanctioning the fund and issues related to land acquisition have affected these projects.
Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway manager Prakash Bhutani said the late running of trains between Ernakulam and Kottayam is likely to get sorted out by March end. Bhutani said construction of rail over-bridges between Kayamkulam and Kottayam and building of subways in and around Mavelikkara and Kayamkulam are progressing. The late running of trains can be avoided once the track-doubling work in the Kottayam route is completed.
Bhutani said the Railways jointly with the state government will prepare a master plan for the development of Ernakulam Old Railway Station. Acquisition of land is the major hurdle faced by the authorities. The Railways will examine possibilities to utilise existing land as acquisition of more land is almost impossible.
The DRM also made it clear that the Railways will consider trains using diesel engines, if the DEMU train is not allowed to start service from Cochin Harbour Terminus Railway Station.
“As part of the maintenance of platforms at the Ernakulam South railway station, a shelter will be constructed at the first and sixth platforms. A toilet complex is also under consideration,” Bhutani said.