Rail traffic on K-K line to resume on December 12

VISAKHAPATNAM: In a major update from the railways and a much awaited news to the tourists who have been missing Araku passenger train journey, train services on the Kothavalasa- Kirandul (K-K) line which had remained suspended for almost two months is all set to resume on December 12. With unrelenting efforts of the Waltair Railway Division, the rail tracks have been restored even two days before the deadline and a trial run was also conducted with tower wagon on Friday, which was succesful.

Speaking to newsmen, divisional railway manager (Waltair) Mukul Saran Mathur attributed the success to staff, who had put in efforts round the clock in the last two months. “Our target was to commission the bridge in 60 days. But we did it in 58 days.

Besides the restoration works, some days were spent in moving the machinery and material from nearby area before full scale operations. The bridge was constructed at an expenditure of `7 crore by engaging 400 labourers during 58 days. This is the record of any bridge work done in so short a period,” he said.   

It may be recalled that the railway bridge (no. 249) between Borraguhalu and Chimidipalli Railway Stations on the K-K Rail line had been affected badly in the landslide on Oct 6.

The impact on the pier was so huge that upper part of the pier from hit portion got sheared, separated and moved towards the valley by 1.6 metres. This had caused mis-alignment of track over the bridge as girders over the pier had also moved along with the pier. After taking up the restoration work, the railways had used three excavators of 300, 200 and 75 tonne capacity to break rocks. Concrete work was done by pumping without the help of manual labourers.