Kochi: The state government would ask the Union railway ministry to “review” its insistence on a third line constructed along the 126-km stretch between Thiruvananthapuram and Chengannur for setting up the Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS), terming it “costly and not feasible”. The Rs 3063.97 crore project would be discussed in detail at the meeting of the MPs from the state on Friday and would be highlighted as one of the key issues of the state to be taken up during the winter session of Parliament.
“The railways want us to build an additional line saying it would take care of the new signalling system. However, it requires the construction of bridges, RoBs and land acquisition at several stretches which would be a very costly affair. The possibility of upgrading existing rail network should be given a serious thought. The feedback from MPs on the issue will be taken and a road map prepared for taking the project ahead,” said chief secretary S. M. Vijayanand.
The suburban railway is among the prioritised projects to be taken up on a cost-sharing basis between the state and the Railways for which a joint venture company is being set up. “The existing lines are already saturated, and the EMU trains can’t be run on that. We’ve informed the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), which prepared the detailed project report that a final decision will be taken once the joint venture is in the process and the MRVC submits its report. The railway board is yet to give a reply on our project proposal,” said Prakash Butani, divisional railway manager.
The MPs' conference to be chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will decide on ways to highlight the issues faced by the state in the sector before the Centre in the ensuing parliament session. The other items to be covered include ones related to the safety and security of tracks, deployment of old coaches and development of terminal stations.
