Kottayam: The strenuous works involved in the Ettumanoor-Kottayam rail doubling will be completed by April 15, thus putting an end to the long wait. This includes the removal of sandbank near Kottayam Rubber Board and tunnels near the plantation area and building safety walls in these areas. 65,000 cubic metres of sand was removed from both sides to make space for two new tracks. Old tunnels will be maintained just like before, but will not be used anymore. 

The removal of rocks to make way for tracks proved to be toilsome and took months to complete. Sand could be removed only after that. The laying of concrete foundation in these areas has been completed. This foundation will be raised to a level just below the existing overbridge. 

Out of the 17 kilometres of track to be laid, 10 kilometres has been completed. The remaining work will be carried out in phases. The work of six overbridges in Ettumanoor-Kottayam and four overbridges in Kottayam-Chingavanam route has been completed. 

The new tracks are also being constructed on the newly-acquired land near the station. A new track to station MEMU trains will also be constructed.