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Kollam-Punalur track to be commissioned in April
23 February 2010: The engineering work of the gauge conversion on the 45-km long Kollam-Punalur railway section has been technically completed. The line will be commissioned by April 2010.
In order to facilitate the gauge conversion work, all train services on the Punalur-Kollam section were withdrawn from 1 May 2007. The trial engine, which left Kollam on 21 February 2010, travelled at 30 to 40 kmph stopping at the crossing stations of Kundara, Kottarakara and Avaneeshwaram to reach Punalur.
There will be one or two trial runs again before the Safety Commissioner’s inspection. However, the track will have to be given a final touch-up. This will include alignment and surface corrections using packing machines. Electrical work and erection of the signal system have not been completed. Other pending major works are on platforms, drainage and tarring at level crossings.
Source: Hindu