GABION WALL FOR KOLLAM-SHENKOTTA SECTION GUAGE CONVERSION

Kollam is located in Western part of Kerala state and is one of the major city of Kerala. It is also a important junction connecting to rest of Kerala. The government of Kerala had commenced gauge conversion work in approximately 49-km Kollam-Shenkotta section, coming under the Southern Railway division. In the project, near Ezhukone station in Kollam district, there was an area with weaker soil and prone to slides. As the gauge conversion was proposed, the area was to be protected against such calamities. A flexible system was preferred by the Southern Railway engineers. Also there is over bridge resting on poor stratum. So, the bridge protection was another requirement of the project as there were chances of collapse of bridge over the railway track. As the soil condition was poor, if they are adopting a rigid system, it will not be economical as the foundation requirements will be large. So the engineers considered Gabion wall solution as a best cost effective alternative.