Record outlay for doubling works in Central Kerala

Kochi: The Union railway budget has proposed an outlay of nearly Rs 340 crore for doubling works in Central Kerala which is nearly four times higher than the funds set aside for the works in the previous budget.

While a total outlay of Rs 173 crore was allocated for completion of the track doubling works in the main route (Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kayamkulam), a fund of Rs 171 crore was set aside for the works in the coastal route.

“The main task now is to facilitate the land acquisition in the Kuruppanthara-Chingavanam section which is pending for years now. Even then, it would take four years to complete the track doubling works in the section,” said Dani Thomas, former Chief Administrative Officer, Constructions, Southern Railway.

Though the Centre has provided a “big” outlay for the doubling works in the coastal line, the state government too has to chip in to make the project a reality. “This is because, the railways wants the state to bear half the cost of the project in the Alapuzha-Ernakulam section,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, the budget has nothing for the revival of the Old railway station. “This is not a big hurdle as the railways has made it clear that the project would be taken up once the state government shows willingness to bear half of the project cost of Rs 30 crore.

Bodies like the GCDA or the Cochin corporation can chip in. The Southern General Manager has powers to allocate the remaining fund from the railway’s side,” a senior railway officer said.

Apart from this, the budget has included the RoB/ RuB construction at Vathuruthy in the Ernakulam-Harbour Terminus section. Also a fund of '3 crore has been set aside for setting up of an additional pit-line. Both the Ernakulam South station and the Ernakulam Town would also have Wi Fi connectivity facility soon.