Kerala - Kollam   

Inspection of gauge conversion held

KOLLAM: The safety inspection of the gauge conversion work of the 45-km Kollam-Punalur railway section was completed on Thursday. There are indications that the line will be formally commissioned by April end.

An announcement will be made by mid-April, railway sources said. The two-day safety inspection of the line was conducted by C.J.S. Naidu, Commissioner of Railway Safety (Southern Circle). He was accompanied by senior officials.

The safety check was conducted on the first day up to Ananeeshwaram and on the second day up to Punalur. The second phase of the safety check comprised a speed trial using a special train comprising four coaches.

The train that left Punalur at 6.01 p.m. reached Kollam at 6.37 p.m. The train travelled at an average speed of 90 km an hour through the newly laid tracks. For a couple of minutes, the train even travelled at 101 km an hour. Those in the train said that only minor track vibrations were experienced. On reaching Kollam, Mr. Naidu told the media that he was satisfied with the tracks. Though 95 per cent of the work was over, some important works had to be completed before commissioning the line.

“The green signal for commissioning the line will have to be taken by the Railways. But the pending work can be completed in a short time,” Mr. Naidu said. Railway sources said these included some civil, electrical, tracking and signal work. One more round of packing work was also required.

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