Kottayam track-doubling work almost over; locomotive conducts trial run

Kottayam: Work on laying a new parallel railway track has been completed between Chingavanam and Ettumanoor on the Kottayam route. Subsequently, a trial run was conducted with a locomotive along a section of the new track on Friday evening.
The trial run covered the distance from Muttambalam and Chingavanam and passed the bridge across the Kodoor River.
Other works related to track doubling has been continuing today. For this, numerous regular trains have been cancelled.
Presently, work such as linking the various tracks at Kottayam yard, installing signals and relocation of overhead power cables are being carried out. Similarly, the platforms at Kottayam railway station are being extended.
The safety inspection of the new track is scheduled on May 23.
KSRTC services sought
With a large number of train cancellations announced on Kottayam route for track-doubling work, regular travellers have demanded that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) should arrange buses between Ernakulam and Kottayam and on the Kottayam – Kayamkulam stretch. Paul Manvettom, a member of Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee, has submitted a memorandum to the Transport Minister, Chief Secretary and the Chairman and Managing Director of KSRTC seeking additional services.
Incidentally, several government employees commuting to their workplaces by train have already applied for leave on the days popular services such as Venad and Parasuram have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, KSRTC officials said that the matter of train cancellations had come to their notice. More buses would be deployed in case there are heavy crowds on existing services, said a KSRTC official.