The Railways is ready for construction of about 80 rail over-bridges (RoBs) in the state, so as to reduce mishaps and facilitate smooth operation of trains. But, the state government’s response remains crucial.
It has approached the state government for help to complete the project in two years’ time, as the state has to meet half the cost. “RoBs are urgently needed at some of the key intersections, especially given the increase in the numbers of vehicles and train services,” it said.
However, it pointed out, the situation was such that the RoBs that were mooted 10 years ago had still not been implemented. “So, we’ve given a blue print of 80 RoBs to the government to be set up in two years,” Rajesh Agarwal, Trivandrum divisional railway manager, said here.
The Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala, which oversees RoB constructions, says financing would be a major task. “A single RoB costs nearly Rs30 crore. Further, the RoBs are mooted on an equal share basis between the railways and the state. And, also, land acquisition, which is a major hurdle, has to be done by us and we need to fund it as well. The proposal is not sustainable,” said an RBDCK official.
Last year, while the Railways mooted construction of 47 RoBs, the state agency agreed for only 10 of those projects, but they are yet to be included in the state budget.
Meanwhile, a railway official said the Railways would start operation of the Kollam-Nagercoil MEMU next month by way of an Onam gift to Kerala. “It was supposed to start by June but got delayed due to reasons like staff crunch,” he said