The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Tindivanam-Nagari rail link sanctioned

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Friday, Dec 22, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Tindivanam-Nagari rail link sanctioned

R. Rajaram

New broad gauge line to be laid at a cost of Rs. 450 crore

TIRUCHI : Sanction has been accorded for laying two new railway lines between Tindivanam and Nagari (in Andhra Pradesh) and from Tindivanam to Tiruvannamalai, the Union Minister of State for Railways, R. Velu has said.

The new broad gauge line from Tindivanam to Nagari, covering a distance of 170 kilometres, would be laid at a total cost of Rs. 450 crore. The line would cover four northern districts and equal number of Parliamentary constituencies touching several backward areas in the region, which do not have a proper rail link facility, Mr. Velu said in an interview to The Hindu here on Wednesday night.

The 70-km line from Tindivanam to Tiruvannamalai via Gingee, which houses a historic fort, would be taken up at a cost of Rs. 127 crore. The two new projects as well as the Chengalpattu - Villupuram doubling project are the three major works sanctioned for Tamil Nadu, out of the 11 projects sanctioned across the country, the Minister said.

The track laying works in the new sections would be taken up in stages and the funds for the projects would be allocated in the ensuing railway budget, Mr. Velu said. The 100-km Chengalpattu - Villupuram doubling project would be carried out at a cost of Rs. 250 crore.

Mr. Velu said the Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu had called for doubling of the line from Villupuram to Tuticorin and from Maniyachi to Nagercoil along with electrification. The Southern Railway had already conducted a survey for doubling between Chengalpattu and Tuticorin and sent a proposal to the Railway Board.

On the shortage of passenger coaches, he said the Railway Ministry had asked the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur to increase production capacity.

The production capacity of the Integral Coach Factory would be increased from 1,250 to 1,500 coaches every year. Similarly, the capacity of Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala would be increased to 1,500 coaches from 1,100 coaches per year. The Minister said the production units have been assured of financial help and other necessary assistance to achieve the target.

Mr. Velu said all trunk routes had been electrified except for some portions between Gooty and Guntakkal. Efforts were on to improve the facilities in railway stations, he said adding that 19 stations had been identified (including the four metros) to make them world class in terms of facilities and amenities.

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