Delay doubles cost of doubling tracks between Kottayam and Alappuzha.

Inordinate delay in doubling railway track through Kottayam and Alappuzha has doubled the cost from Rs. 530 crore in 2005 to approximately Rs. 1,100 crore now.

In 2013-14, the railway allotted only Rs. 117 crore for track doubling in Kerala. Though no funds were earmarked in the recent interim Railway Budget for doubling works, it is expected that funds will be allocated in proportion to the previous year’s allocation. Officials are resting their hope on the full-fledged budget expected in June.

Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) of Southern Railway Dani Thomas said already-sanctioned doubling works in Kottayam and Alappuzha can be completed by 2017 if the railway gave Rs. 400 crore each in 2014 and 2015 and Rs. 300 crore in 2016.

THE HINDU