Google Maps to the aid of High Speed Rail Corridor

Alignment to avoid high-rises and heavily populated areas

The alignment for the High Speed Rail Corridor marked outside the eastern boundary of the Cochin University of Science and Technology campus in the city. Photo: H. Vibhu

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has deployed Google Maps to fix a preliminary alignment for the proposed High Speed Rail Corridor (HSRC), 55 kms of which will pass through Ernakulam district.

Markings denoting the alignment have been spotted on roads and compound walls at several places in Kalamassery municipality.

Sources said that this alignment could be changed if necessary as the effort is to avoid high-rise buildings and heavily populated areas.

They said that the markings were done without informing the local bodies necessitating a meeting of chairmen of local bodies on August 4 to ensure the smooth conduct of the operations to fix the alignment for the rail corridor, a dream project drawn up by the United Democratic Front government.

The district administration has been given a sketch of the route, based on which work on the alignment will be taken forward. Land acquisition proceedings will be initiated after the State government approves the survey report, sources added.

It is learnt that local bodies expressed discontent at the way work on the alignment of the rail passage has been carried out so far.

The High Speed Rail Corridor connects Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod and passes through 21 local bodies in the district.