Kochi: The setting up of a third line in the heavily congested Ernakulam-Shornur corridor is now closer to reality with the railway ministry sanctioning the final location survey, the actual point-to-point marking of alignment before commencement of actual construction, in the 84-km section. “Based on the traffic and engineering survey (feasibility study), the Rs 1500-crore project was earlier approved by the union government and included in the union budget for the year 2018-19. With the final location survey, the Railway Board has kickstarted the preparation of actual alignment based on which construction works will be taken up,” said a senior official.
Earlier, the feasibility study, including the traffic and engineering survey, found it necessary to have a third and fourth line in the most congested section in the division. “Most probably, the final location survey will be entrusted to RITES, a railway PSU. The survey will be taken up in various phases. The process will determine the actual number of plots and buildings to be acquired besides the number of bridges, RoBs and other infrastructure facilities to be constructed,” the official said. “The setting up of a third line is vital for increasing the speed of trains besides getting new trains in the division. The Kerala government too is batting for a third and fourth line in the division. Hence, the project should be given top priority and implemented without delay,” said Mr P. Krishnakumar, general secretary, Thrissur Railway Passengers Association.
