Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005 |
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By Our Staff Reporter
MADURAI, APRIL 5. With uncertainty prevailing over the construction of a new bridge across the sea to connect Rameswaram island with the broad gauge network, the Southern Railway plans to develop the Mandapam station as a BG terminus. The 162-km Madurai-Rameswaram gauge conversion project is likely to be stopped at Mandapam for operational reasons. While maintaining the metre gauge shuttle services between Mandapam and Rameswaram, the officials propose to develop basic coach maintenance and transhipment facilities at Mandapam.
Yatra route
"The MG trains would be retained as heritage specials. All the major stations between Madurai and Mandapam have been given an aesthetic touch, resembling features of a temple. We are developing the Madurai-Rameswaram stretch as a pilgrim or yatra route by providing unique colours to stations, cabins and other railway establishments," the Chief Engineer (Construction), S. K. Srivastava, told The Hindu today. The BG trains would be operated up to Mandapam early next year. The Tiruchi-Manamadurai-Mandapam BG line would be ready by March 2007. The works of the Madurai-Manamadurai conversion project, undertaken at a cost of Rs. 50 crores, are nearing completion. After the vigilance authorities pointed out discrepancies in the quality of ballast, it is being replaced. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (Southern Region), Pranab Kumar Sen, would commence a three-day inspection of the 48-km stretch from April 11. The speed trial run will be held on April 13. The Tiruchi-Pudukottai MG section would be closed by July this year for conversion works. The tenders for major/minor bridge works between Tiruchi and Karaikudi had been floated. "We hope to complete the Tiruchi-Karaikudi BG line by March next year. Adequate facilities will be created for maintenance of MG rolling stock wherever necessary," he said. The Madurai-Rameswaram project was sanctioned in 1996-97 at an estimated cost of Rs. 243 crores. Though the Railway Board had floated tenders seeking expert opinion from international engineering consultants on the feasibility aspects of constructing a new bridge connecting Rameswaram, a concrete decision is yet to be taken. As of now, officials in the Madurai division hope that the existing Pamban swing bridge would be structurally strengthened and retained for operations.
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