Kollam-Punalur rail line to be opened on May 12

KOLLAM: Defence Minister A.K. Antony will inaugurate the gauge converted 45-km Kollam-Punlaur rail line at a function here on May 12.

It was Mr. Antony who laid the foundation stone in 1998 at Punalur for the gauge conversion work.

The work began after May 1, 2007. The train services from Punalur to Kollam were withdrawn on that day for facilitating the work.

But the conversion work was not a smooth affair. The Railways had to face many hurdles, even resistance from the local people, which delayed the work.

At one stage, the work had to be carried out with police protection as workers from outside the State engaged for the purpose were beaten up by a group of local people who demanded that the work be entrusted to them.