The much-awaited overbridge at Vathuruthy level crossing will be a reality soon, with the Cochin Port Trust agreeing to hand over the land required for the bridge.
The port has in return sought land at Ramanthuruth at a Railway stakeholders’ meeting convened here on Tuesday. The deal will be worked out between the State government and the port. Either the PWD or the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala will build the bridge which will enhance connectivity between the city and West Kochi.
ORS renovation
The Railways was represented by a team of officials led by Divisional Railway Manager Prakash Bhutani. With the stakeholders expressing concern over the delay in renovating the Old Railway Station located behind the High Court of Kerala, Hibi Eden, MLA, and Mayor Soumini Jain sought steps to rehabilitate families that encroached on the 40-acre premises. Ms. Jain had earlier said that their rehabilitation was on the anvil under the Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY). Mr. Eden demanded a new overbridge at Pachalam to ensure safety of pedestrians and to avoid traffic gridlocks. The Railways plans to initially divert the inter-district MEMU train and a couple of short-distance trains to the station, primarily to decongest Ernakulam Junction railway station. Railway officials expressed reservations about building a second overbridge at Pachalam since just a handful of trains were expected to call at the station.
Mr Bhutani said that Railways would provide funds only if the number of vehicles and trains passing through a level crossing exceeded a specific limit.
