Date:04/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020458080300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Simhachalam-Kothavalasa 4th line work to begin soon

J Balaji

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Rs. 94-crore works to lay 19 km fourth line between Simhachalam (North) and Kothavalasa via Pendurthy are likely to begin by this month-end or early next month as the tenders are in final stages. By all probability the East Coast Railway (ECoR) headquarters would give the letter of acceptance to the final bidders and thereafter the work will begin. The civil work costs about 30-40 per cent of the total project cost.

While two tenders for the supply of ballast had already been given, four tenders for laying of the track, construction of bridges, earthwork are being finalised. The project, which would be completed in 18-24 months, would involve electrical, signal and telecommunication and civil engineering works. Considering the future growth of traffic rails weighing 60 kg (per metre) would be laid as it could withstand train movement up to the speed of 120-150 k.m. per hour. Sources in ECoR headquarters in Bhubaneswar said the work would be carried out in two blocks – one from Simhachalam (North) to Pendurthy and the other from Pendurthy to Kothavalasa. Land acquisition is not a problem.

This project, which was announced in 2007-08 railway budget, is mainly to decongest the traffic bound for or coming from Orissa and West Bengal to Visakhapatnam. About Rs.20 crore was allotted for the project during 2007-08. Sources added in the entire East Coast up to Vijayawada from Howrah, barring the Kharagpur-Howrah (100 km) section, only this portion will have four lines which is very significant for a fast developing city like Visakhapatnam. As the line would be mainly used for goods traffic, the passenger and express trains running in this section would be greatly relieved of delays.

The stretch is important as it connects North East and South passengers train traffic besides catering to goods trains carrying coal from Talcher, iron ore from Kirandul and alumina from NALCO plant at Damonjodi to various places including Visakhapatnam port.