Kochi; The wait by West Kochiites for passenger train services after nearly two decades seems to be finally over with the railways saying it has resolved the “ballast shortage” issue that delayed commissioning of the eight-km long Harbour Terminus line by at least four months. The opening of the Harbour Terminus line was originally scheduled for April 1 and even the trial run in a major section was held in February last. Only the laying of ballast over the tracks, the work that could be finished in a maximum of four days, was left.
“There was a shortage of ballasts which resulted in the delay. And also those rakes of ballasts being brought in were used in the existing lines. We gave priority to safe train operations rather than commissioning the line at any cost. The ballast gives stability to the tracks,” said Divisional Railway Manager Prakash Bhutani. “Now we have resolved the issue. One more rake carrying ballasts will be used for the Angamaly Yard remodeling works on Monday. After that we will be using the available ballasts for the Harbour Terminus Line where three to four days work is remaining before it will be ready for commissioning,” the senior official said.
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 start services using diesel engines and normal rakes. It will be replaced with DEMU rakes as and when they arrive,” the official said. Passenger train services to Harbour Terminus were 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.
