Title - Vizhinjam: Government submits resurvey report on rail realignment

Obstacles in land acquisition has forced the state government to look for a new alignment for a rail link for the multi-crore Vizhinjam container transshipment terminal project. A new proposal suggests linking the port with Nemom instead of Neyyatinkara. The Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), the consultant appointed by government company Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) for finalising the rail connectivity has conducted a survey in this regard and submitted its report, which has been forwarded to the Railway. VISL is now awaiting approval of the railway. “The earlier alignment was Vizhinjam port to Neyyatinkara via Balaramapuram. But there are some issues including two or three old temples, of which one is said to be centuries old. We are  comfortable with the new alignment,” VISL CEO A S Suresh Babu said. The new alignment will shorten the connectivity to the main line from 15 kms to approximately 13 kms.