KOTTAYAM: The ongoing doubling works between Chingavanam-Chengannur and Kuruppanthara-Mulanthuruthi segments will be completed by March 2015.
Rakesh Misra, general manager of Southern Railway, announced this after visiting the Kottayam Railway station on Wednesday as part of reviewing the progress of the development works initiated in the section.He, however, told reporters that the commissioning of these two segments will be further delayed for 3-4 months to equip the administration to run the system smoothly.
The land acquisition issues which have delayed the process for many years have been settled, Misra said. “Even though, doubling is a very important activity, we have been pushing hard to get sufficient funds from the Railway Board. However, in this fiscal, we hope that the Railways will be able to complete the ongoing projects by March 2015. The delay in commissioning will get further delayed owing to the creation of some new posts, which would be made after the inspection of the Railway Commissioner on Safety,” he said. According to him, the commissioning of the double lining works in the Ernakulam section (upto Mulanthuruthi), which has been hanging on for 4-5 years, has given a big relief for the Railways and passengers.
He said the land acquisition is major challenge for moving ahead with the development works. Another major issue with doubling works he said was the non-availability of soil and sand. Misra, who reached the station, by Island Express spent more than an hour in Kottayam to get the details of various development works. He then went to Tiruvalla for further inspections.