The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Villupuram-Dindigul line doubling soon

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Tamil Nadu

Villupuram-Dindigul line doubling soon

Special Correspondent

Velu flags off new train from Chennai Egmore to Salem

CHENNA: Work on doubling the broad gauge line from Chengalpattu to Villupuram had started, and the doubling of the Villupuram-Dindigul line will begin soon, Minister of Sate for Railways R.Velu said on Friday.

Flagging off a new train from Chennai Egmore to Salem, through Vriddhachalam, here, he said that owing to the overexploitation of the Villupuram-Dindigul section, the Railways could not operate more services despite heavy demand. After the completion of the doubling, more services would be introduced.

The work on gauge conversion of the main line from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai was in full swing, and he was confident that it would be completed by November. He would inspect the section next week to review the progress. The gauge conversion of the Tiruvarur-Nagore, Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli and Vellore-Katpadi sections had been completed, and they would soon be opened for traffic.

As for new lines, Mr. Velu said it would be easy for the Ministry to get the concurrence of the Planning Commission if the State government agreed to contribute 50 per cent of the project cost. New lines proposed by the Ministry included Dharmapuri–Morappur, Thanjavur-Ariyalur, Dindigul-Kumuli and Jolarpet-Tiruvannamalai. The Ministry also planned to go in for electrification of the link lines such as Dindigul-Karur and Salem- Bangalore (through Dharmapuri) in view of the increase in diesel price.

Replying to Minister of State for Law and Justice K. Venkatapathy’s plea for an inter-city express between Egmore and Coimbatore, through Vriddhachalam and Salem, Mr. Velu said it would be considered after a passenger survey.

Earlier Mr. Venkatapathy, who presided over the function, appealed to Southern Railway to introduce more passenger services between Vriddhachalam and Salem.

Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian said the Corporation was in coordination with the Railways in executing rail over-bridges and under-bridges and subways in the city.

A.A. Jinnah, MP, called for early completion of gauge conversion of the main line from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai.

General Manager Rakesh Chopra said that in the past three years, 42 new trains had been introduced, and 22 services extended.

Last year, the zone spent Rs. 75 crore on creating passenger amenities. This included Rs. 40 crore spent in Tamil Nadu. The new service would be a boon to people of Attur, Chinna Salem and Vazhapadi.

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