Kerala - Kochi   

Railways criticised for project delays in Ernakulam district

KOCHI: A whole lot of projects have been held up in Ernakulam district thanks to the tardy coordination between the construction wing and the open-line wing of the Railways. Fed up with huge delays in commissioning the sixth platform of the Ernakulam Junction railway station, the Karithala Poura Samithi at Karshaka Road has alleged that a good share of funds earmarked for different Railway projects are getting lapseddue to the huge delay in implementing them. “These funds meant for the State are being spent on projects in other States,” said Viju Choolakkal, general secretary of the Samithi.

The proposal to build a foot overbridge connecting Karshaka Road with Ernakulam South is among the projects hanging fire since 1969. This despite the fact that Rs.47 lakh from the MP’s fund and Rs 7.70 lakh from the GCDA was handed over to the Railways many years ago. Residents had surrendered two acres of land on the eastern side of the Ernakulam Junction station, to build a full-fledged eastern entry to the station. This too is yet to begin functioning in full swing, he said.

K.N.R Nair, member of the association said the GCDA had provided the space for an office, platform, track and car parking on the eastern side, so that the eastern entry to the station could be built.

“But the Railways is taking its own time to commission the platform that could have considerably reduced the delays and running time of trains. It would have prevented the non-stoppage of the Venad Express at the station. The modernising work on the station too is hanging fire. The work should be handed over to the Central PWD or the Rail Vikas Nigam (which built a modern station at Edapally) if the Railways cannot carry out the work on time.”

Similar demands are coming in from different quarters in the case of the Pullepady overbridge, where the construction wing has been unable to build a 25-metre portion that would connect the approach spans of the bridge that was built by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK).

A senior official in the wing said that a contractor submitted his tender (on the fourth bidding) for Rs.1.53 crore. “The RBDCK would have carried out the work for Rs.41 lakh or for a lesser amount, four years ago.” The Railways’ delay has held up work on the Kochi Corporation Padma Junction-Pullepady-Thammanam road project.

The Railways has also encountered a delay of over seven years in completing the Ernakulam-Mulanthuruthy line-doubling work, despite land being acquired many years ago. The Ernakulam North Railway Protection Council has in the meanwhile protested against the delay in operationalising the ticket counter on platform two of the Ernakulam Town Railway Station, and the lack of drinking water and lights in many areas at the station.

A protest meeting held in this regard was inaugurated by K.V. Manoj, standing committee chairman of the Kochi Corporation.

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