Kochi: The doubling works in the congested 115 km-long Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kayamkaulam section would be completed only by 2018 middle, over a year behind the previously set deadline by the railways. The railway authorities said the delay is mainly due to land acquisition issues in the Kuruppanthara-Ettumanur section, though the work will be completed in the remaining stretch by February 2017.
“The target date for completion of work in eight km long Kuruppanthara-Ettumanur is only by 2018. While that for pending works in sections like Changanasseri-Tiruvalla (7.8 kms) and Chingavanam-Changanasseri (11 km) are December 31, 2016, and February 28, 2017, respectively. Work in the remaining sections (89 kms) have been completed,” the railways said in its written reply to a query raised by Paul K J Manvettom, President of All Kerala Railway Users Association, in the recently held Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meet.
“Our original target to complete the doubling by March 2017 now seems to be a distant dream due to the state government’s delay in handing over just 10.3 hectare land, especially in the Kuruppanthara-Chingavanam section after Kanakari. We’ve conducted negotiations with the government officials and they promised prompt action,” said a senior Administrative officer. Meanwhile, the doubling works alone the coastal Kayamkulam-Alapuzha-Ernakulam route have gained momentum. “The target date for commissioning of the Haripad-Ambalapuzha section is February 28, 2017. An estimate has been prepared and submitted to the railway board for sanction with regard to works in the Ambalapuzha-Turavur, Turavur-Kumbalam and Kumbalam-Ernakulam Jn,” the railways said in the reply.
