The second terminal of the Kollam railway station will be completed and commissioned by October 2018, N.K Premachandran, MP, said here on Thursday.
April 2018 was earlier decided as the date for commissioning. Railway Divisional Manager, Thiruvananthapuram, S.K.Sinha and officials visited Kollam to assess the ongoing works that included the construction of a booking office, circulating area, foot overbridge connecting six platforms, parking area, two elevators, and escalators.
“The construction required more work than stated in the contract. Along with that unfavourable climate also contributed to the delay,” Mr. Sinha said after inspecting the site.
The construction of booking office and circulating area that are part of the second entrance are nearing completion.
But the work of the foot overbridge connecting the first and second platforms remains. The entrance gate and wall being constructed using MP funds will also be completed by October.
While the old station buildings were renovated at an estimate of ₹52 lakh, platform roofing was extended by 32 metres, and an air-conditioned waiting lounge was completed at a cost of ₹27 lakh. An emergency medical help centre will start functioning at the station soon.
The road from the railway station to the goods shed, installation of more drinking water taps, and the construction of a new parcel office have been completed.
Procedures are at different stages for the construction of overbridges at four railway crossings between Kollam and Mayyanad.
Steps will be initiated as soon as the State government issues a recommendation.
A ₹2.25-crore project has been submitted for the renovation of the approach road to the Eravipuram railway station, increasing platform height, and construction of a foot overbridge.
Construction works at an estimate of ₹4.35-crore had been carried out at the Mayyanad station and a ₹3.1-crore project has been submitted for extending the second platform, increasing the height and length of platforms, construction of a foot overbridge, and renovation of the station and approach road.
At the Paravur station, works costing ₹1.26-crore had been done. Construction of trolley path, increasing platform height, and renovation works of station and circulating area are in the pipeline. Another ₹1.24-crore project has been submitted for the purpose.
“The works for all newly submitted projects will be started this year itself,” said the DRM.
Mr.Sinha, Senior Divisional Commercial Manger Ajay Kaushik, and senior divisional engineer Rangarajan attended a meeting convened in Kollam.
