Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 ePaper |
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Tamil Nadu
Special Correspondent
Discussions held with the Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Kerala Rs. 35,000 crore needed to operate such trains between Chennai and Madurai
MADURAI: The Railway Board is looking at a joint venture with State Governments for operating high-speed trains (HSTs) on select routes. Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had announced plans to run trains at a speed of 350 kmph in the budget. “Since the cost involved will be very high, we are seriously considering a joint venture with the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. High-level discussions have been held with the Chief Secretaries of both the States. Operation of HSTs require an independent and elevated track,” Southern Railway General Manager, Thomas Varghese, said here on Tuesday. While the Railways proposed the Chennai-Kochi sector, the Tamil Nadu Government evinced interest in the Chennai-Madurai route. The Kerala Chief Minister suggested HSTs between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore. “These are major projects which the Railways cannot fund. We may require Rs. 35,000 crore to operate HSTs between Chennai and Madurai,” Mr. Varghese said. Double BG line
He said a proposal to lay double broad gauge line with electrification between Chengalpattu and Tirunelveli at a cost of Rs. 1,600 crore had been sent to the Railway Board for approval. A sum of Rs. 836 crore had been allocated for gauge conversion and gauge doubling projects in the zone this year. “If this quantum of fund allocation continues, we will be able to achieve complete broad gauge in Southern Railway in three years. However, the Mettupalayam-Udhagamandalam Nilgiris Mountain Railway line will continue as a heritage route.” Almost all metre gauge sections in the zone, except the Madurai-Bodi line, had been cleared for conversion. At least six sections, including the Dindigul-Madurai, Podanur-Coimbator and Karaikudi-Manamadurai, would be converted this year (2007-08). United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi was likely to inaugurate the newly converted Manamadurai-Rameswaram section, he said.
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