Kozhikode: The final location survey for the much-anticipated Nilambur-Nanjangud railway line has been successfully completed. The survey report, along with a detailed project report (DPR), will soon be submitted to the Railway Board for approval.
However, the traffic and geological surveys are still ongoing. Among these, the traffic survey is crucial in determining the revenue potential and feasibility of the project. Once all surveys are completed, the Railway Board will provide its final approval.
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The railway line, originally proposed by the British in 1882, has been a long-awaited project. In May 2023, the Railways decided to proceed with the DPR and site survey. A budget of Rs 5.9 crore has been allocated for the project. The work is being supervised by the Chief Engineer of Rail Development in Ernakulam.
Benefits for Kerala and Beyond
According to the Public Relations Department of Southern Railways in Chennai, surveys for the line have already been conducted along the proposed alignment, and the traffic survey and soil testing are currently underway. They also informed that the current plan includes a tunnel in the Bandipur National Park region. One of the key features of the tunnel is that it reduces the degree of human interference in the sanctuary. It also shortens travel time between Kerala and Bengaluru.
The railway line is expected to have a notable impact on Kerala's commerce, education, employment, and healthcare sectors.
The project will also help ease the congestion on other busy railway lines, including the Konkan line from Panvel to Mangaluru and the line from Coimbatore to Shoranur. The new line will connect two major railway corridors: Bengaluru-Kochi and Mysuru-Coimbatore.
Shared Funding for Construction
The project received approval in 2016, with the central and state governments agreeing to split the construction costs evenly.
Published: 28 Nov 2024, 09:27 am IST
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