The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Madurai-Dindigul BG line doubling may be delayed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 29, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Madurai-Dindigul BG line doubling may be delayed

S. Vijay Kumar

Tenkasi-Shencottah, Punalur-Kollam conversion under way

MADURAI: : The much-awaited doubling of broad gauge line between Madurai and Dindigul may be delayed further with the Railway Board seeking a revised estimate from the engineering department. Though the final work schedule and cost particulars were already sent, the Board is said to have pointed out some discrepancies and sought a fresh estimate.

The 64-km stretch is the most congested section on the Nagercoil-Chennai Egmore corridor with the operational utility crossing 160 per cent. Even as the doubling project was sanctioned a couple of years ago for conversion of the existing metre gauge alignment at an estimated cost of Rs.96 crores, the works have not commenced pending financial sanction. But officials hope to complete the works by the end of 2006.

Mandapam terminus

The Railway Board has cleared a proposal for the construction of housing quarters, coach maintenance infrastructure and passenger amenities at Mandapam railway station at a cost of Rs.30 crores. Since a decision on the construction of a new bridge across the sea to connect Rameswaram is yet to be taken, the Mandapam station, which is 16 km ahead of the Island station, is being developed as a terminus.

According to the Chief Engineer (Construction), S.K. Srivastava, MG services between Mandapam and Rameswaram would be maintained and there was also a move to declare the trains as heritage specials. "The maintenance facilities at Mandapam would be retained even if the conversion work is carried out upto Rameswaram in the near future. While various options are being considered for the construction of a new bridge, certain structural strengthening works would be undertaken on the Pamban bridge," he said.

Mr. Srivastava said the Tenkasi-Shencottah and Punalur-Kollam conversion works were under progress. However, it would take more than three years for converting the Shencottah-Punalur ghat section due to the tunnels, gradient and steep curves.

Survey works for the conversion of the Madurai-Bodinaickanur section would commence soon.

Bridge works between Tiruchi and Pudukottai were fast under completion and engineers had planned to close the section for gauge conversion during July this year. By early 2007, the Tiruchi-Manamadurai project would be completed, he added.

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