Sometimes we will imagine that we really need certain Inter-state rail link across big mountains to avoid round-about journey! Of course we are not unaware that such rail Corridor or high speed road projects will displace people and destroy farm lands, hills and natural environments to a greater extent.At the same time we need some alternative transport facilities to augment the pace of economic development in all spheres. I would advocate for provincial railways for many regions where in BG ( even MG) lines cannot be constructed due to mountainous terrain throughout the western ghat section. I propose for an exclusive railway system independent of the existing alignment of the railways under Indian Railways, for connecting all valley towns. Ideally narrow- gauge will be suitable for mountainous terrain in order to directly connect many towns in the valley of western-ghats throughout the length of peninsular India, particularly Kerala. Few valley towns already have rail connectivity with railway stations under the network of Indian Railway (Currently Broad-Gauge under uni-gauge policy). The hill-railway under preferably N.G ( can have meter-gauge in some sectors) passing through such towns can have stations just adjacent to the same for the convenience of passengers and also for easy transfer of freight. Kerala’s constraints for land acquisition to develop roads can be solved by creating a provincial network of N.G/M.G railway under the control of the state government. Once this becomes reality there will be a major shift in the mode of transport for passengers as well as freight in our interior moffusil enclaves. I am sure that under the above mentioned 'hill railway system' , if we can establish a MG/N.G rail- link between Ernakulam and Bodinayakkanur ( Bodinayakkanur - Madurai 88 km MG line is under BG conversion). we can have trains with SL.and Upper Class bogies as offered in the Jabalpur - Balaghat -Jabalpur Satpura Express, now with a diesel locomotive of ZDM Class. ( NG is retained in some sectors like this by Indian Railways). Kerala can collaborate with Tamil Nadu for this corridor as Bodinayakkanur is within Tamil Nadu and the purpose of the project is to facilitate an alternate passenger and goods traffic between Madurai and Kochi. Later on the Kerala state can plan for mountain railways under narrow gauge from important valley towns to hill stations like Nelliyampathy, Munnar, Ponmudi etc from the nearby valley towns, preferably from such places covered under the rail network of Indian Railways
Sometimes we will imagine that we really need certain Inter-state rail link across big mountains to avoid round-about journey! Of course we are not unaware that such rail Corridor or high speed road projects will displace people and destroy farm lands, hills and natural environments to a greater extent.At the same time we need some alternative transport facilities to augment the pace of economic development in all spheres.
ReplyDeleteI would advocate for provincial railways for many regions where in BG ( even MG) lines cannot be constructed due to mountainous terrain throughout the western ghat section. I propose for an exclusive railway system independent of the existing alignment of the railways under Indian Railways, for connecting all valley towns. Ideally narrow- gauge will be suitable for mountainous terrain in order to directly connect many towns in the valley of western-ghats throughout the length of peninsular India, particularly Kerala. Few valley towns already have rail connectivity with railway stations under the network of Indian Railway (Currently Broad-Gauge under uni-gauge policy). The hill-railway under preferably N.G ( can have meter-gauge in some sectors) passing through such towns can have stations just adjacent to the same for the convenience of passengers and also for easy transfer of freight. Kerala’s constraints for land acquisition to develop roads can be solved by creating a provincial network of N.G/M.G railway under the control of the state government. Once this becomes reality there will be a major shift in the mode of transport for passengers as well as freight in our interior moffusil enclaves.
I am sure that under the above mentioned 'hill railway system' , if we can establish a MG/N.G rail- link between Ernakulam and Bodinayakkanur ( Bodinayakkanur - Madurai 88 km MG line is under BG conversion). we can have trains with SL.and Upper Class bogies as offered in the Jabalpur - Balaghat -Jabalpur Satpura Express, now with a diesel locomotive of ZDM Class. ( NG is retained in some sectors like this by Indian Railways). Kerala can collaborate with Tamil Nadu for this corridor as Bodinayakkanur is within Tamil Nadu and the purpose of the project is to facilitate an alternate passenger and goods traffic between Madurai and Kochi.
Later on the Kerala state can plan for mountain railways under narrow gauge from important valley towns to hill stations like Nelliyampathy, Munnar, Ponmudi etc from the nearby valley towns, preferably from such places covered under the rail network of Indian Railways