The Vizhinjam rail tunnel project has moved into its execution stage. Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) issued the engineering, procurement and construction tender. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Vizhinjam rail tunnel project reaches tender stage
Vizhinjam rail tunnel project reaches tender stage

It covers the Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam railway tunnel. The outgoing state government had already approved the tender proceedings before the assembly elections.

The tender was released on Tuesday, as reported by The Times of India. It formally begins the process of building a dedicated railway tunnel. The link will connect Balaramapuram railway station with Vizhinjam International Seaport. Also, KRCL advanced the proceedings after the election model code of conduct was lifted in Kerala. That allowed the tender process for the freight corridor to move ahead.

Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam railway tunnel scope

For now, the project remains in tendering. Construction is expected later this year because the tender deadline falls in August. According to the tender document, the work covers ‘design and construction of a broad-gauge single-line railway siding’ from Balaramapuram to Vizhinjam port. In addition, the package includes a 9km tunnel and a 0.43km adit tunnel. It also includes related civil, electrical and railway systems.

The rail connectivity project is estimated to cost Rs 913.77 crore. It will cover a total 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.

Rail link for Vizhinjam International Seaport

The line is considered important for future cargo expansion at Vizhinjam International Seaport. The port is being developed as India’s first dedicated deepwater transhipment terminal. At the same time, cargo moving to and from the port will depend entirely on roads until the rail link is completed.

Also, the planned rail corridor is expected to improve container evacuation. It is expected to reduce pressure on the already congested NH 66 corridor in the capital region.

The tender document lists a wide scope of work. For example, it includes earthwork in cutting and embankment sections, plus bridges on approach stretches. It also covers permanent way works and ballastless track inside the tunnel. In addition, the scope includes overhead traction systems, power supply installations, signalling and telecommunication facilities. It also includes integrated tunnel communication systems, public address systems and video surveillance infrastructure.

KRCL tender dates and bidding process

Separately, KRCL has chosen a single-stage, two-packet bidding process for the Vizhinjam rail tunnel project. The bid submission deadline is Aug 10. The bids are scheduled to be opened on Aug 19.

The alignment has already passed through several rounds of technical scrutiny. In addition, it has undergone geological assessment and impact studies. The route runs through densely populated and ecologically sensitive terrain. Due to the difficult terrain and urban stretches, the tunnel is expected to be among the most challenging railway tunnel works undertaken in Kerala.

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