KOCHI: Giving a push to the pending construction of the Venduruthy rail bridge, the Railway Board officials have directed to open the bridge in six months time. Gireesh Pillai, Railway Board Advisor (Infrastructure), who visited the site on Thursday set a deadline for the completion of the bridge, the construction of which has been stalled for the past several months.
The bridge which is a useful link to Western Kochi was supposed to be opened last year. However, the delay in completion of the approach road connecting the bridge has brought the project to a halt.
Railway officials here said that they have been asked to complete the work on the approach road within one-and-a-half months. “The chief engineer has been directed to complete the remaining work, including railings on the bridge, and complete the laying of the rail tracks within two-and-a- half months. We hope to complete the work soon,” the officials added. Almost 90 per cent of the work on the new bridge has been completed.
In 2005, the Railways had closed down the Old Venduruthy bridge after a dredger hit it. Since the bridge was not safe for transportation, passenger traffic was suspended on the route. Earlier, passenger trains used to terminate at the Cochin Harbour Terminus. Owing to the lack of strength of the bridge, the Railways reduced rail movement to transport cargo goods via trains. Once the new bridge opens, the officials are confident that more cargo goods can be transported through the route, adding to the revenue generated by the railways.
Owing to some technical delays as well as the procurement of raw materials, the work on the bridge was delayed, officials said.
Though talks were held to resume passenger traffic through the route, it was put off since electrification would be required.
“Most of the trains operate on electrified routes across the Southern railway network. Since the route is not electrified, we would have to replace the engines if the train has to be operated to the Cochin Harbour Terminus. Apart from the huge investment involved, the Navy has objected to such a move,” officials added.