Rail link to ICTT complete

Rail connectivity to the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, near here, has been completed.

A formal announcement was made in this regard on Wednesday and an engine moved through the newly constructed track. Incidentally, this is the first connectivity to the terminal site.

The final cost of the project would be around Rs 350 crore, fully funded by the Centre through the shipping ministry, said Keshava Chandran, joint general manager of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

RVNL, a special purpose vehicle under the railway ministry, was entrusted with the job of constructing the rail line from Edappally to ICTT, with a target to complete the work by March 31.

The total length of the rail line is 8.86 km. It starts from Edappally railway station and runs parallel to the existing track for a length of around 3 km up to Vaduthala. From here, it passes over the longest railway bridge (4.62 km) in India, and through inhabited area of Vaduthala and its backwaters; cuts across Edayakkara Island, Mulavukadu Island and finally reaches Vallarpadam where a new railway station is being constructed. The line is dedicated only for goods traffic.

The total land acquired was 12.5 hectares, including government land. The project has the longest railway bridge and 4 small bridges.

On the other hand, construction of road connectivity is progressing at a faster pace now. A two-lane track connecting the national highway with the terminal is expected to be completed by this June.

According to the Cochin Port Trust (CPT), 84 per cent of the work is over for the 17.2 km road at  a revised cost of Rs 872 crore. The contract for capital dredging for providing 14.5m draft at the navigation channels had been awarded to Jaisu Shipping Company. Work is scheduled for completion by May 2010.

According to the latest schedule, the first phase of ICTT will be commissioned before monsoon.