The Hindu : Front Page : Record loading of goods by Madurai division

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Record loading of goods by Madurai division

S. Sundar

It is attributed to opening of new broad gauge line via Pudukottai

MADURAI: The Madurai Division of Southern Railway has made a record loading of goods of 4.12 lakh tonnes in July. This has surpassed its previous record of 3.25 lakh tonnes achieved in March this year.

The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Anil Singhal, attributed it to the opening of newly converted broad gauge section between Manamadurai and Rameswaram that provided an alternative rail route for the over-utilised Madurai-Dindigul-Tiruchi section.

“Goods trains are being diverted on the Madurai-Manamadurai-Pudukottai-Tiruchi section, thus speeding up the movement of goods,” Mr. Singhal said.

It has avoided detention of goods trains, carrying huge quantum of coal, fertilizer, gypsum and foodgrains, for hours together due to congestion of rail route. Besides, the efforts of railway officials also contributed to achieving the record. The overall earnings of the division also have gone up significantly during April-July 2008 when compared to the corresponding period last year.

“It is now Rs. 130 crore as against Rs. 96 crore during April-July 2007,” Mr. Singhal said. Operation of a number of special trains and streamlining of ticketing have resulted in the division registering a 36 per cent growth in earnings.

Stating that there was a perceptible improvement in punctuality of trains in the division, he said that the rate of punctuality in July improved to 99 per cent from 97 per cent between April and July. The division also experienced a number of rail fractures in recent times.

“We are changing worn out rails between Ambathurai and Kodaikanal Road. The rails are getting corroded faster as rainwater from the hilly terrain along the tracks falls on them,” Mr. Singhal said.

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