Kochi: Finally there is some good news for railway commuters. The punctuality of trains running through Kottayam route is set to improve considerably by this month end with the Commissioner of Railway Safety (Southern Region) giving preliminary approval for train operation in the new electrified double line in Chingavanam- Changanassery section.
Earlier on December seven, Railway Safety Commissioner K A Manoharan inspected the nine-km stretch when a train fitted with Operations Management Suite (OMS) was operated at 120 kmph as part of the speed test.
"The CRS has given nod for signalling and interlocking works in the section. Upon completion of the same, he will give the final approval if everything is as per the specified standards. The date when train services will be operated through the new line will also be intimated then," said a senior railway officer.
The divisional authorities are set to undertake the Signalling works from December 12 to 23 when train operations will be regulated in a major way.
"The section will be ready for traffic thereafter and the trains are expected to save running time upto 15 minutes in the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kayamkulam section. The CRS is expected to approve a maximum speed of 90 kmph," the officer said.
With this, doubling will be completed in 88 kms of the total 115-km long Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kayamkulam section.
On earlier occasions, when new double line sections like the eight km long Chenganassery-Tiruvalla were opened for rail traffic, there was not much improvement in punctuality of trains.
"This is because the speed restriction of 40 kmph at many points was retained to facilitate track renewal and maintenance works. However, this time over, the restrictions except in the 27-km long Chingavanam-Kuruppanthara section will be taken away.
While the doubling works in the eight-km long Kuruppanthara-Ettumanur section too will be completed soon, that in the 19 km Chingavanam-Ettumanoor was severely affected with nearly four hectares of land still to be acquired by the state government and handed over to the railways.
