Tamil Nadu   

In principle sanction obtained for Madurai-Bodi gauge conversion

CHENNAI: The Planning Commission has agreed in principle to give sanction for gauge conversion between Madurai and Bodi, a distance of about 90 km.

The Commission was not in favour of converting this section as it was a branch line with no substantial revenue.

It relented in the wake of sustained efforts by Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu.

Talking to this correspondent from New Delhi, Mr.Velu said the Commission was not in favour of converting any metre gauge branch line.

Priority was being given to MG lines that would provide an alternative route between two major stations after conversion.

Mr. Velu told Commission officials that if the Madurai-Bodi MG line was not converted, it would remain an island MG line and maintenance would be a problem.

Moreover, as a majority of lines had been converted in the State, it would not be advisable to keep the metre gauge line.

The conversion works would cost Rs.400 crore. The Minister said he would pursue the issue till final approval was approved. Regarding the doubling of the Villupuram–Dindigul broad gauge section, the Minister said the Commission was firm that the State Government should bear at least 50 per cent of the cost. Doubling this section did not come under the Commission’s priority, as an alternative route from Villupuram to Tiruchi via Cuddalore was being converted.

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