New tenders for gauge conversion

Irked by the slow pace of gauge conversion works between Pollachi and Palakkad, Southern Railway has decided to cancel the existing contract with a Bhubaneswar-based company that presently working over the project and issue fresh tenders to complete the remaining works in a time bound manner.The 58 km long Pollachi-Palakkad narrow line was closed down in 2007 to convert it into a broad-gauge line linked with the Coimbatore-Dindigul stretch, where gauge conversion is in progress. Together, these two lines are expected to enhance rail connectivity between Coimbatore, Palakkad, Pollachi, Udumalpet, Palani, Madurai and Rameswaram. According to highly placed railway sources, the gauge conversion works between Palakkad and Polachi began in 2008 after the works were awarded to Bhubaneswar-based ARSS Company. The works moved at a snail's pace right from the beginning and only 25 percent of the works have been completed so far in Muthalamadai-Yakkara stretch. Though works of the major bridge at Amabarampalayam were completed three years ago, only 10 percent of the works of the crucial Yakkara Bridge have been completed so far.As per original plans, the works should have been completed in March this year. However, as per last February's railway budget, the deadline was extended to this December. It is unlikely that works will be completed even by March next year. Considering the dismal situation, the railways decided to scrap the existing contract and float new tenders.Instead of awarding both construction of bridges and gauge conversion works to a single company, the authorities are planning to invite separate tenders for both. A Palakkad-based firm has already evinced interest in undertaking bridge construction works while Eagle Omega Company, based at Kangayam in Tirupur district, has come forward to undertake the remaining gauge conversion works. Southern railway's construction head R Vijayakumar has conducted a spot visit and directed officials to complete the works at the earliest.In the case of the Coimbatore-Pollachi stretch, land acquisition is the major hurdle. About 42 hectares are to be acquired. Once the land is acquired, it will take one year to complete the project, an official said.In case of the Pollachi-Dindigul stretch, works are close to completion. The commissioner for railway safety is scheduled to inspect the site soon. Railway sources have confirmed plans to operate passenger trains between Madurai and Pollachi through the newly developed stretch.