The Hindu : Thanjavur-Kumbakonam gauge conversion before Mahamaham

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Thanjavur-Kumbakonam gauge conversion before Mahamaham

By Our Staff Reporter

Thanjavur Dec. 27. Gauge conversion between Thanjavur and Kumbakonam is going on a ``war-footing'' and according to Southern Railway officials, is likely to be completed by January-end, well in advance for the Mahamaham festival to be held on March 6.

``All works have been completed except for putting cross beams in bridges. If that is done, linking of rails will be done and the track will be ready for inspection by the Commissioner for Railway Safety (CRS). Trial run may be done in February,'' said the officials.

The track is ready with lines fitted at many places while in some places, ballast have been fitted for the base of the track with concrete sleepers on them. Lines have to be fitted. Places where the work is going on is the seven major bridges along the track. In bridges also, only cross beams have to be fitted.

The gauge conversion work was taken up in March this year at a cost of Rs. 82 crores. The conversion is being done for a distance of 38 km covering seven major bridges and 164 small bridges.

Laying of new platforms is going on at Kumbakonam station. Two new platforms are coming up in the Kumbakonam station.

At Thanjavur station two broad gauge platforms already exist.

The Railways has opened a new entry for these platforms from Mary's corner side and opened a booking counter also.

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Southern States