Kerala Railways - Needs and Projects

[Aslesh]

Karnataka state government has said that it would share the cost of some of the new lines. Kerala govt should consider this model. We can even try PPP model.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by vinod/kakka

The problem with this line - and I guess the reason that it gets delayed - is that its estimated length is 250 kms. I was shocked at first too, but the issue is that Railways need a much lower incline that roadways.

With this distance in mind, the only areas where it provides distance advantage for points south of Thrissur is Mysore. For Bangalore, it is ~500 kms from Ernakulam, and the new line would not change this by much.

The cost estimate is on the higher side too - This line would cost ~Rs 4 Cr. a KM @ 1997 estimates. @1997 estimates, a Trivandrum - Punalur line would cost ~2 Cr a KM. (Just given for cost comparision, not "importance comparision").

The old surveyed alingment of Trivandrum - Punalur line from the south was Kazhakoottam - Potencode - Nedumancaud - Punalur. If you consider this line in conjunction with the Angamali - Azhutha line, we could get a new North - South line b/w Angamali and Trivandrum, roughly mirroring the path of SH - 7 till Punalur.

Yes very true.

For example, the Karnataka SRTC Deluxe bus which was proceeding to Bangalore from Trivandrum (via) Trichur-Perinthalmanna-Nilambur-Mysore-Bangalore used to reach Mysore in 12 to 13 (or a maximum of 14 hours in extreme cases). At the same time, to reach Mysore by the Island Express upto Bangalore and then by another immediately connecting train, it was taking almost 23 to 24 hours (May be 'cos the Island is an 'izhayunna' train.

Means, people living at different parts of the city can board the train from the stations like Nedumangad, Pothencode or Kazhakuttom.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by Aslesh

Karnataka state government has said that it would share the cost of some of the new lines. Kerala govt should consider this model. We can even try PPP model.

Compare the cost of land in Kerala & Karnataka (not city wise). We have to take into conideration, the average cost of land in villages too.

[navjot]

like the ekm-b'lore intercity express , i think there should be an intercity day express linking the two capital cities . the train can leave tvm by 6-7 and reach chennai by 2100-2200 hrs . pls post ur opinion

[navjot]

Originally Posted by vinod/kakka

The old surveyed alingment of Trivandrum - Punalur line from the south was Kazhakoottam - Potencode - Nedumancaud - Punalur..

the line was along kazhakkootam-pothencode-nedumangad-palod-madathara-chithara-kadakkal-anchal-punalur

[vinod/kakka]

Originally Posted by navjot

like the ekm-b'lore intercity express , i think there should be an intercity day express linking the two capital cities . the train can leave tvm by 6-7 and reach chennai by 2100-2200 hrs . pls post ur opinion

Guruvayoor - Chennai exp leaves TVC at 3:40 AM to reach Chennai the same day.

[navjot]

Originally Posted by vinod/kakka

Guruvayoor - Chennai exp leaves TVC at 3:40 AM to reach Chennai the same day.

but that doesnt benifit kerala!!it benifits the day travellers of TN

[navjot]

budget 2009 - new trains services state wise

[Reghu]

The MEMU maintenance workshop shed work is progressing fast in Kollam compared to the BG conversion work. This shed is for the maintenance of the the MEMU trains comprisisng of the Engine and the 3 compartement unit after each journey.

The work is scheduled to be completed by december. The work of the 4.5 feet deep pit line from the ground surface and the 1.5 metre fence over that has started. The shed will have a lenght of 210 metres length. there will be 2 pitlines in the begining of the 4.5 feet deep paltform from the ground surface.

Moreover, railway is planning a exclusive Heavy Maintenance shed for MEMU trains at Kollam as enough space availabilty is there at Kollam Junction Railway Station. With this the repair of the main parts of MEMU can be completely performed at Kollam itself.

The [B]railways has allotted 10 crores for starting MEMU services from Kollam Junction.

[beam]

Originally Posted by pavamdoha

The first priority of the railway will be doubling of the line from Mangalore to TVM...then electrification.

.

Southern Railways GM pointed out recently that maintenance facilities viz. pitlines, sicklines, etc. required for overhauling & cleaning of trains are sufficient just to cater to existing trains at Trivandrum, Kochuveli and Ernakulam yards. Moreover, according to Railways, Trivandrum central with only 5 platforms, is congested and handling 2.5 times more than its capacity.

Thus, according to Railways, till additonal capacity is brought in, new Kerala trains may have to start from Tirunelveli in Tamilnadu.

For more trains in future, we need doubled tracks as well as bring up the new proposed coach care center at Nemom & expansion of Trivandrum central station ASAP, which I feel should be combined together as number one priority now. Unfortunately, the present budget is silent on Nemom coach care center where Railways own vacant land for past 30 years.

Instead our priyapetta rail saha-manthri has allocated funds for coach care center at Ernakulam and new trains to Goa/Delhi introduced from Ekm. This clearly shows that our own rail manthri is thinking in lines of running more trains through his constituency of malappuram/kannur starting from Ekm only and least bothered about connectivity to places south of Ekm.

[beam]

Originally Posted by navjot

Originally Posted by vinod/kakka View Post
The old surveyed alingment of Trivandrum - Punalur line from the south was Kazhakoottam - Potencode - Nedumancaud - Punalur.

the line was along kazhakkootam-pothencode-nedumangad-palod-madathara-chithara-kadakkal-anchal-punalur

I personally feel the existing rail line from Kazhakootam to Nemom via Kochuveli, TVC is congested. There is little land available between Kochuveli and TVC to add more lines.

Hence instead of bringing the line from Nedumangad to Kazhakootam and adding further to congestion, it may be better and least congested to continue the proposed line from Nedumangad to Nemom via eastern outskirts of the city. So, the proposed alignment may be like Punalur- Nedumangad-Malayankizh-Nemom.

[navjot]

Originally Posted by beam

Southern Railways GM pointed out recently that maintenance facilities viz. pitlines, sicklines, etc. required for overhauling & cleaning of trains are sufficient just to cater to existing trains at Trivandrum, Kochuveli and Ernakulam yards. Moreover, according to Railways, Trivandrum central with only 5 platforms, is congested and handling 2.5 times more than its capacity.

Thus, according to Railways, till additonal capacity is brought in, new Kerala trains may have to start from Tirunelveli in Tamilnadu.

For more trains in future, we need doubled tracks as well as bring up the new proposed coach care center at Nemom & expansion of Trivandrum central station ASAP, which I feel should be combined together as number one priority now. Unfortunately, the present budget is silent on Nemom coach care center where Railways own vacant land for past 30 years.

Instead our priyapetta rail saha-manthri has allocated funds for coach care center at Ernakulam and new trains to Goa/Delhi introduced from Ekm. This clearly shows that our own rail manthri is thinking in lines of running more trains through his constituency of malappuram/kannur starting from Ekm only and least bothered about connectivity to places south of Ekm.

TRAIN SERVICES CAN OPERATE FROM KOLLAM JN...COZ,THERE IS AMPLE SPACE AVAILABLE AT KOLLAM JN .. IF MEMU SERVICES B/W TRIVANDRUM AND KOLLAM ARE COMMENCED AS FAST AS POSSIBLE , COMMUTING FROM TVM TO KOLLAM WONT BE A PROBLEM AT ALL.....MOREOVER KOLLAM JN HAS 8 PLATFORMS AND PLATFORM NOS 7 AND 8 ARE IN A STATE OF ABEYANCE

[navjot]

Originally Posted by beam

Instead our priyapetta rail saha-manthri has allocated funds for coach care center at Ernakulam and new trains to Goa/Delhi introduced from Ekm. This clearly shows that our own rail manthri is thinking in lines of running more trains through his constituency of malappuram/kannur starting from Ekm only and least bothered about connectivity to places south of Ekm.

I'M SURPRISED THAT THE ALLOTED KERALA TURANT AC IS NOT TIRUR-NIZAMMUDDIN URANT AC EXPRESS......

[pavamdoha]

Originally Posted by jaleelmalik

May be a couple of years back, Architect Saleem of Calicut had submitted a proposal before the GoK. Accordingly, an Elevated North-South Corridor might have been constructed from Trivandrum to Mangalore, over the existing railway lines, after installing pillars on the space between the 'Up' & 'Down' railway tracks. Much discussion had not happened later, I think.

Apart from providing space for additional traffic, the North-South flyover might had provided protected the railway passengers from heat & sun.

From my negligible knowledge on bridges, it is understood that such a road shall be able to carry a 3 + 3 pr a 4 + 4 track carriageway. Feedback, please.

Or is it a "dream project' in a place where we are expected to wait for years to complete even a flyover less than one km long.

Tail Piece:

There was a joke about the NH-17 regarding the speed at which it was doubled. Accordingly, as per the then rate of progress, it might take more than 400 years to complete the project.

Jaleel, this was a new infomation to me....I dont think this will happen because it need huge investment and good management plans and all.. Our politicians will first think what they will get then the development!!

Note : we are discussing about Kerala not for dubai or west

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by pavamdoha

Jaleel, this was a new infomation to me....I dont think this will happen because it need huge investment and good management plans and all.. Our politicians will first think what they will get then the development!!

Note : we are discussing about Kerala not for dubai or west

Very True.
That is the first question from a Panchayat Ward Member too.
Even if there is development gonna happen at his door-step, he will ask percentage.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by beam

I personally feel the existing rail line from Kazhakootam to Nemom via Kochuveli, TVC is congested. There is little land available between Kochuveli and TVC to add more lines.

Hence instead of bringing the line from Nedumangad to Kazhakootam and adding further to congestion, it may be better and least congested to continue the proposed line from Nedumangad to Nemom via eastern outskirts of the city. So, the proposed alignment may be like Punalur- Nedumangad-Malayankizh-Nemom.

May be upto Pettah from Kochuveli.

Then the Bridges at Uppidaam Moodu, Thampanoor (Over bridge) etc.
Roads on both sides of the rail track from Pettah, SL Theatre factor etc.

How will this bottle neack be managed ?

If we can play with this "Cricket Bat", then it is fine, well & good.

[jaleelmalik]

Originally Posted by navjot

budget 2009 - new trains services state wise

As we are having an All India Railway Ticket Reservation System, can we treat trains passing through more than obe State, be considered as a trains alloted to a particular state. The trains "allotted to Kerala", must run within the State's limits. Otherwise, it can not be counted under a State's account. That is what I feel.

[beam]

Originally Posted by navjot

TRAIN SERVICES CAN OPERATE FROM KOLLAM JN...COZ,THERE IS AMPLE SPACE AVAILABLE AT KOLLAM JN .. IF MEMU SERVICES B/W TRIVANDRUM AND KOLLAM ARE COMMENCED AS FAST AS POSSIBLE , COMMUTING FROM TVM TO KOLLAM WONT BE A PROBLEM AT ALL.....MOREOVER KOLLAM JN HAS 8 PLATFORMS AND PLATFORM NOS 7 AND 8 ARE IN A STATE OF ABEYANCE

Having long distance trains from Kollam is welcome in future along with Kollam-Punalur-Shencottah gauge conversion and coupled with MEMU, connections will be better. Trains also terminate at Alleppey as it has limited maintenance facilities. But does all that mean to affect the plans for expanding Trivandrum central? Please let me remind you that Trivandrum Central is the third largest passenger revenue earner in Southern Railways after Chennai central and Chennai Egmore.

Railways prepared a masterplan to expand the number of platforms at Trivandrum Central by moving existing coach maintenance facilities to Nemom where they own land. According to railways, this will de-congest the TVC station and more trains able to be maintained at the bigger coach care centre planned in Nemom. This proposal is pending with the rail ministry and it is unfortunate to see such an important project being delayed for want of approval in the present budget that too with our own minister-state in the rail ministry.

[beam]

Originally Posted by navjot

I'M SURPRISED THAT THE ALLOTED KERALA TURANT AC IS NOT TIRUR-NIZAMMUDDIN URANT AC EXPRESS......

Just wait and watch, I wont be surprised if more stops are allocated for this train in near future, courtesy our own manthri'ji.

[beam]

Originally Posted by jaleelmalik

May be upto Pettah from Kochuveli.

Then the Bridges at Uppidaam Moodu, Thampanoor (Over bridge) etc.
Roads on both sides of the rail track from Pettah, SL Theatre factor etc.

How will this bottle neack be managed ?

If we can play with this "Cricket Bat", then it is fine, well & good.

It is going to be a nightmare demolishing/reconstructing the present Pettah, uppidamudu, Thampanoor bridges for adding more lines between Pettah and Thampanoor and the numerous structures enroute.

Anyway there seems a need for a third line between Nemom & Kochuveli as part of Kollam TVC MEMU and the frequent shunting of empty coaches. How government and railways will find a way out is yet to be seen.

Precisely why I mentioned that the new line from Nedumangad to take alternate route to Nemom via outer eastern periphery of city. This also will take the load of passing freight trains instead of jamming the already congested central station further.