Kochi: The Southern Railway will prepare a draft plan on operational, signalling and track requirements of DEMU (diesel electric multiple unit) trains to Cochin Harbour and Ernakulam old railway station in two months.
A preliminary survey on the route was undertaken by an expert team led by area manager Dr Rajesh Chandran as part of it.
“The aim was to find out the basic minimum requirements in operational, signaling and track laying sectors. The draft plan will be ready in two months,” said a senior railway official.
The team inspected the Cochin Harbour Terminus, Mattancherry Halt station and old Railway stations.
”We are yet work out the cost for resuming passenger services on these routes. Track laying works itself requires nearly Rs 2 crore,” he said.
The study includes the proposed stops for the DEMU and renovation of stations.
On bringing back DEMU services, replaced by MEMU after its launch, the official said it would be back on track in two months.
The DEMU rakes were hauled back to Chennai after the inaugural run.
“Only a single DEMU train will be operated initially and we will think about the introducing more after assessing the demand,” the official said.
