Feasibility study on high-speed corridor to commence in August

Kochi, Mar 24 (UNI) The feasiblity study for the construction of high-speed passenger corridor for six routes across the country would start by August this year, Railway Board Chairman K C Jena said.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Jena said ''the Railway has decided to float a global tender to appoint a consultant for the project and the appointment would be made by August.'' The project, including Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulam route, would be undertaken in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme and certain states were willing to share the study cost on a 50:50 basis with the Railways, he added.

Mr Jena said the work on the Eastern freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni and the Western corridor from Delhi to JNPT would start in 2008-09.

Mr Jena said the work on the Vallarpadam rail connectivity would be completed by 2009.

Allaying fears that Railway was neglecting Kerala, Mr Jena said 35 projects worth Rs 14.11 crore were completed in 2007-08.

On the expenditure on passenger amenities at modern stations in the state, Mr Jena said as many as 39 works worth Rs 8.96 crore was sanctioned during 2006-07 and 19 stations were declared as modern stations in Kerala.

UNI MA MSJ DB0958