The Railway Board has sanctioned a new tunnel and a viaduct on the 49.2-km Punalur-Shencottah section where gauge conversion work is progressing. The new tunnel is required to suit broad-gauge specifications.
This is to convert the existing 12 degree curve near Thenmala station into a 10 degree one.
The new work involved additional expense and Rs.20 crore had been sanctioned for it, railway officials connected with the gauge-conversion work said.
Tenders to be issued
The new work will be shortly tendered. A large portion of the Punalur-Shencottah route is a ghat section passing through forests and hilly terrain. The route was originally laid by the British more than a century ago. It comprised five tunnels, one of which is about 900-metres long, and several viaducts. The new tunnel will be 200-metres long and will come up between Kazhuthurutty Halt and Thenmala station on the western side of the 13-arch viaduct. The new viaduct will be constructed close to the sanctioned tunnel and will be 120-metres long.
To facilitate the gauge-conversion work on the Punalur-Shencottah section, train services on the section were withdrawn in September 2010. Gauge conversion work on the Shencottah-Thiruchendur and Kollam-Punalur section has been completed and is open to traffic. A high-level railway team led by the Chief Administrative Officer (Construction-Southern Railway) will review the progress of the gauge conversion work on the section on Tuesday and hold a review meeting with Kollam MP N.K. Premachandran.
Rs.20 crore sanctioned for new work as part of Punalur-Shencottah gauge conversion.
