Train timings may be revised to speed up work in Kollam

T'puram: Train services may be rescheduled to allow longer construction windows and accelerate the redevelopment of Kollam Junction railway station, said N K Premachandran, MP.Premachandran shared the details after a high-level review meeting chaired at divisional railway manager level in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Officials discussed ways to complete the station redevelopment project within the revised timeline without causing major inconvenience to passengers. According to Premachandran, construction activities above railway tracks have been severely restricted during daytime due to heavy train traffic. Railway authorities are now considering adjustments in train schedules to create uninterrupted night-time work windows of three to five hours, enabling faster completion of pending works. Officials at the meeting observed that delays in completing the concourse and other over-track structures were largely due to efforts to avoid disrupting passenger movement and train operations. The 12m-wide and 14m-long overbridge under construction is expected to be completed by Sept. The review meeting also assessed that other components of the railway station redevelopment project were progressing as scheduled. Authorities noted that reconstruction works involving demolition of existing structures were being carried out carefully to minimize inconvenience to passengers and avoid delays in train services. The multi-purpose training institute being developed as part of the railway infrastructure expansion is expected to be completed this year. A second-phase expansion proposal, including hostel facilities, is also under consideration. Officials further said follow-up action was under way for conducting a heritage impact study of the historic Chinese Palace building. Development works at Memu shed are expected to be completed by Nov. Once completed, the facility will enable an increase in the number of eight- and 12-coach rakes from the current nine to 18, helping reduce passenger congestion.