T’puram: The long-pending rail connectivity to the deepwater transhipment hub at Vizhinjam International Seaport moved a major step forward with Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) finally floating engineering, procurement and construction tender for Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam railway tunnel project. The outgoing state govt already approved the tender proceedings before assembly elections.The tender, issued on Tuesday, marks the formal beginning of the execution phase of the dedicated railway tunnel project linking Balaramapuram railway station with the international port. The move comes days after the election model code of conduct was lifted in Kerala, with KRCL fast-tracking the proceedings for the crucial freight corridor. However, the construction is expected to begin later this year as the deadline for the tender is scheduled for Aug. According to tender document, the project involves ‘design and construction of a broad-gauge single-line railway siding’ between Balaramapuram and Vizhinjam port, including a 9km-long tunnel and a 0.43km adit tunnel along with associated civil, electrical and railway systems work. The estimated project cost has been pegged at Rs 913.77 crore, for a total rail connectivity length of 9.508km. The project is to be completed within 36 months.“The KRCL will find a suitable contractor for the project. The land acquisition on the Balaramapuram side is completed. The land acquisition at Vizhinjam side will be completed soon, and the apprehensions raised by fishermen have been resolved,” said a senior govt official related to the project. The railway line is considered critical for the future expansion of cargo operations at the port, which is being developed as India’s first dedicated deepwater transhipment terminal. Until the railway connectivity is completed, cargo movement to and from the port will depend solely on roads. The proposed rail corridor is expected to significantly ease container evacuation and reduce congestion on the already strained NH 66 corridor in the capital region. The tender document states that the project scope includes earthwork in cutting and embankment sections, bridges in approach stretches, permanent way works including ballastless track inside the tunnel, overhead traction systems, power supply installations, signalling and telecommunication facilities, integrated tunnel communication systems, public address systems and video surveillance infrastructure. KRCL has adopted a single-stage, two-packet bidding process for the plan. The bid submission deadline has been fixed for Aug 10, while the bids will be opened on Aug 19. The tunnel alignment, passing through densely populated and ecologically sensitive terrain, earlier underwent several rounds of technical scrutiny, geological assessments and impact studies. The project is expected to become one of the most challenging railway tunnel works undertaken in Kerala, owing to the difficult terrain and urban stretches along the alignment.
