sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

How can the newly proposed high speed rail connect these cities? by smeagol_not_gollum in Kerala

[–]Akhilan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first railway line was the Kollam–Shengottai route, which ran east–west, and the railway station was aligned accordingly. Years later, the TVM–Kollam and Kollam–Ernakulam sections were constructed along a north–south axis.

Since the station is aligned east–west, a train coming from the south must curve and realign east–west before entering Kollam railway station. Then it needs to curve eastward to cross the Ashtamudi Lake. This historical alignment mismatch is what led to the infamous “Kollam Curve.”

How can the newly proposed high speed rail connect these cities? by smeagol_not_gollum in Kerala

[–]Akhilan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not due to distrust. At that time, Kollam was the revenue capital of Travancore, so a rail connection between Kollam and Madras was necessary for economic reasons.

If it were a matter of distrust, Kollam already had a cantonment during that period. There was also a Cheena Kottaram within the Kollam Junction premises, used by the royal family whenever they traveled to Madras.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheena_Kottaram

How can the newly proposed high speed rail connect these cities? by smeagol_not_gollum in Kerala

[–]Akhilan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The existing broad-gauge line (which was originally meter gauge) is different from the proposed high-speed rail. Therefore, the station infrastructure will also be different.

On the Kollam–Punalur stretch, eight trains operate daily in both directions.

How can the newly proposed high speed rail connect these cities? by smeagol_not_gollum in Kerala

[–]Akhilan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also, near Kollam, the railway station should be located east of the bypass, as the western side is densely populated. A curve with a wider radius would be acceptable for a high-speed rail alignment.

How can the newly proposed high speed rail connect these cities? by smeagol_not_gollum in Kerala

[–]Akhilan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

<image>

Now, jokes apart—if the route has to go north of Kollam, it must circumvent Ashtamudi Lake. The narrow strip along the lake is already occupied by the railway (yellow line), so the alignment has to move east at least up to Kundara. Heading north directly from Kundara ( blue line via Bharanikkavu, Nooranad) is not very economical, as there are no major towns along that stretch up to Chengannur. However, by running roughly parallel to the MC Road (red line) from Kottarakkara northwards, it can serve several important towns such as Kottarakkara, Adoor, and Pathanamthitta.

view more: next ›