Train16347/16348 Thiruvananthapuram Central-Mangalaru-Thiruvananthapuram Central Expresses will temporarily originate and terminate at Kochuveli station from January 9 to February 7 to facilitate urgent repair works of a maintenance pit line at the Thiruvananthapuram Central station,.
The top layer of the 55-m-long pitline 2 that has suffered wear and tear will be removed and reconcretised under the supervision of the engineering wing of Thiruvananthapuram railway division. A new rail line and bolts will be installed above it. The work is estimated to cost ₹1 crore, Railway sources said.
Of the five pitlines, the first one was reconcretised two-and-a-half years ago. The other three pitlines also need similar restoration work. During the work period, till February 7, the maintenance of the designated trains that was carried out in pitline 2 will be shifted to the Kochuveli terminal, sources said.
Train 16347 Thiruvananthapuram Central-Mangaluru Express will originate from Kochuveli station at 8.35 a.m. Train 16348 Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Central Express leaving Mangalore Central from January 8 to February 6 will be short terminated at Kochuveli station on all days.
The KSRTC has been approached to operate bus services from Kochuveli to the city when Train 16348 arrives at Kochuveli from Mangalaru 5.15 a.m. Poor connectivity to the city and the traffic congestion at Chakka owing to the flyover and NH 66 bypass works has forced Railways to seek KSRTC help the movement of the train commuters arriving early in the day.
