PALAKKAD: The work on the Kollengode– Thrissur railway line, which was finalised more than seven decades ago, is yet to start in spite of the fact that it would benefit the people of more than 20 grama panchayats in the district and will help the movement of goods traffic once the Vallarpadom container terminal is commissioned.
In 1942, the survey of the 56 km-long line was completed and survey stones were erected along the proposed line through Nemmara, Alathur, Vadakkencherry and Mannuthy.
“At present, the passengers from Thrissur have to travel 86 km through Palakkad via road to reach Kollengode. If the proposed railway line is constructed, more than 30 km can be saved,” said Girija Vallabhan, secretary of the action council. The action council called on the Union Minister of State for Railways E Ahmed to earmark funds in the next railway budget so as to start the work.