Pipe-laying under railway tracks begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An auspicious start was given to the pipeline-laying work as part of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-aided water supply project under the railway tracks on Wednesday at the starting point - near Kripa theatre. A ‘pooja’ was held in the presence of the officials of JICA, Kerala Water Authority and L&T, the contractor of the particular work. In a highly devotional atmosphere, lamps were lit, coconut was broken and camphor was burnt so as to ensure that the work goes ahead without any hindrance, a JICA official said. The pipes are being laid under the tracks using the horizontal jack pushing method, ie without cutting open the surface. The pipeline would pass under 11 tracks. The work is expected to take at least two months to complete.  The real work would start on Thursday, when the pipe would be lowered into the open trench made near Kripa theatre, through which it will be pushed inside after scooping out the earth.  Meanwhile, Railway sources said that the work wouldn’t affect the running of trains. Speed restriction has to be in place when a work goes under the tracks. But since this work is taking place at the railway station itself, the trains would be moving at a minimum speed of 15 to 20 km per hour. So, an additional speed restriction needn’t be enforced. Also, all the trains have a halt at Thiruvananthapuram station.