ThiruvananThapuram: The decision to adopt a standard gauge, instead of measuring widespread, is the result of greater expert opinion as a train above the speed of 160kmph can not operate at extensive size, said V Ajit Kumar, Implementing Director, KRDCL.
Responding to allegations by Alok Kumar Verma, KRDCL MD said that systra, consultant for the silerline project, has not provided an initial feasibility report as claimed by former train officials.
“Some lines, including Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Delhi-Meerut, Delhi-Varanasi, Chennai-Mysore, etc., are being considered as standard measuring projects.
That’s because the train at this speed cannot be operated in a wide gauge,” he said.
He added that Verma was part of Systra for only a few months, and he had recommended alignment through coastal areas.
“It was found that the coastal route would be about the crz problem, and a larger population would be affected,” said Ajith Kumar.
He said that this project is estimated to be a futuristic, and it is not the coastal area, but mid land being developed.
“We finally decided to follow the alignment suggested by the DMRC.
The decision was taken on the basis of a broad deliberation,” he said.
Regarding the allegations that no exact survey has been carried out, Ajit Kumar said that this survey was conducted as a Lidar survey, spread over one and a half years.
“The survey method we follow will provide up to 5cm accuracy,” he said.
He said that the project’s feasibility report was the final result of internal discussions and several communication between systra consultants and KRDCL, which could discuss several options.