Kochi: A recent direction from the zonal railway authorities to Thiruvananthapuam division not to take up new projects and instead focus on existing infrastructure will further delay commencement of train operations along the eight-km-long Harbour Terminus line by several months. The section was originally scheduled to start on April 1 , however, track and station renovation works got delayed due to material shortage and finally got completed last month. But the railways are yet to fix a date for inauguration of passenger trains services through the section, expected to benefit West Kochiites in a major way.
“The work of the Cochin Harbour Terminus station and the entire track section from Ernakulam got completed. However we got a direction that no new project should be taken up for six months and that focus should be laid on existing infrastructure, especially doubling and track renovation,” a senior railway officer said. “We raised the issue in the recent divisional railway users consultative committee meet held at Thiruvananthapuram. The officials replied that all construction activities were complete and train services could be started anytime, however, no date was announced,” said Paul K J Manvettom, President, All Kerala Rail Users Association, who attended the annual event.
The divisional authorities too have doubts over the commercial viability of operating trains in the section where electrification works could not be carried out due to the Navy's objection citing close proximity to its airport at Vathuruthy. Though it was planned to deploy DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) rake in the sector, the Chennai Headquarters is yet to allot it. “We will use diesel engines and normal rakes once the Line is commissioned. It will be replaced with DEMU rakes as and when they arrive,” the official said. The passenger train service to Harbour Terminus was stopped after a dredger hit the Venduruthy bridge in 2004, weakening it. A new railway bridge was constructed after that and the railway track replaced in the entire line.
