J Balaji
Tender finalisation begins
It will reduce train traffic in Visakhapatnam
New platform for Pendurthy station
VISAKHAPATNAM: The long-awaited Rs.100 crore project to lay 19 km fourth railway line between Simhachalam (North) and Kothavalasa via Pendurthy is likely to begin next month as the process to finalise the tenders for the work is on at East Coast Railway (ECoR) headquarters in Bhubaneswar. The project, which was announced in the Railway Budget 2007-08, when completed, would give a fillip to Visakhapatnam as it would greatly reduce congestion in the movement of trains including those carrying freight besides increasing speed of operation as trains could run up to 110 km per hour in the new line. Moreover, Pendurthy station would also get a boost by way of an additional platform to receive trains up to 26 coaches, which would be constructed as part of the project. Sources said there could be a total of four contractors for the project who would be expected to complete the works within a year.
Project details
In the entire east coast up to Vijayawada from Howrah (known as Group B section), barring the Kharagpur-Howrah (100 km) section, only this portion will have four lines. Construction of five new bridges, 25 minor bridges, loop lines, electrification of the track, laying of embankment, installation of signalling equipment would form part of the project. While the civil works would cost only about 30 to 40 per cent of the project cost, the remaining goes towards procurement of rails, concrete sleepers, fittings etc. Sources said Simhachalam-Kothavalasa section is taken for laying the fourth line as it is important one connecting passenger trains from north, east and south besides catering to goods trains carrying coal from Talcher, iron ore from Kirandul and alumina from NALCO plant at Damonjodi to various places including Visakhapatnam port and steel plant
