Date:24/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/24/stories/2006082423590300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Rs. 22 crore sanctioned for development of Kochuveli

Staff Reporter

To construct 10 platforms and supporting infrastructure

Thiruvananthapuram: The Railways have sanctioned Rs.22 crore in the supplementary budget for the second phase development of Kochuveli coaching terminal into a "model station" with all modern facilities.

This was disclosed by General Manager of Southern Railway Thomas Varghese on Wednesday at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station after carrying out detailed inspection of the Kochuveli terminal with top officials to finalise the plans for the second phase development.

Mr. Varghese said the railways have plans to construct 10 platforms and supporting infrastructure facilities such as stabling lines and pit lines at Kochuveli to take care of the handling of long distance mail and express trains that reach the State capital from various cities. A sum of Rs.1 crore was sanctioned for the second phase development of Kochuveli in the current Union Railway Budget.

The development of the coaching terminal is being taken up soon as the Central railway station is saturated and the railways cannot handle any more trains.

The General Manager said land needed to be acquired for the second phase development of the terminal. The acquisition of private land near the coaching terminal would cost Rs.4 crore. The railways has decided to start the work for the terminal as it would need a minimum of three years for the completion of the second phase development. Initially, the railways would take up the construction of five platforms, three pit lines and three sick lines at Kochuveli, he added.

On the commissioning of the electrified railway line between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram Central, Mr. Varghese said the railways would be able to run a couple of passenger, mail and express trains hauled by electric locomotive in the stretch by September 1.

"The work from the railway side is over and the sub-station at Kazhakuttom has been completed.

However, the work for the sub-station at Chingavanam is yet to commence," he added.