: Earmarking of an unprecedented Rs. 347 crore for doubling Ernakulam-Kayamkulam track through Kottayam and Alappuzha, and Rs. 3 crore for establishing a pit line and two stabling lines at the marshalling yard here have brought cheer to commuters from the central Kerala region, even as Thursday’s Railway budget was silent about introducing new trains in the State.
A sum of Rs. 182 crore has been allotted for doubling the track through Kottayam, while Rs.155 crore is for doubling track through Alappuzha. Funds allotted for doubling track in Ernakulam-Kayamkulam sector through Alappuzha is likely to lapse or be handed over to Kottayam doubling since the State government is yet to respond to Railway’s demand to share half the project cost of doubling the Ernakulam-Alappuzha corridor.
Railway has set apart nominal funds for an overbridge at Vathuruthy in the Ernakulam-Wellingdon Island line.. Project Director of Kochi Metro, Dani Thomas, who was till recently Chief Administrative Officer of Southern Railway said that cost of land acquisition for track doubling in Kurupunthara-Chingavanam stretch alone is Rs 80 crore.
“It will take another around three years for the sector to have double track. The focus this fiscal is on doubling track in Chenganoor-Chingavanam and Piravom-Kurupunthara stretches, covering a total distance of 40 km. Commuters will be able to save around 30 minutes once the sector is doubled,” he said.
Funds for a new pit line here will ensure lesser turnaround time for coach maintenance, ensuring availability of more coaches. Southern Railway has been receiving flak for not allotting adequate number of coaches for short-distance passenger trains, though their engines have capacity to tow 18 coaches.