The Hindu : Front Page : Concern over delay in operating passenger train in Tiruvarur-Nagore section

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Monday, Feb 09, 2009
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Concern over delay in operating passenger train in Tiruvarur-Nagore section

Syed Muthahar Saqaf and K. Subramanian

It has caused resentment among all sections
CRS had given clearance in December last

TIRUCHI: The delay in the introduction of passenger train services in the Tiruvarur – Nagore broad gauge section even after clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) in December has caused much resentment among all sections of the society in the central districts.

Consumer and service organisations, rail users associations and common people have urged the railways to operate train services as early as possible keeping in mind the interest of the large number of devotees and tourists visiting the Tirunallar Temple, Velankanni Church and Nagore Dargah from various parts of the country.

The Tiruvarur - Nagore metre gauge line was converted into broad gauge as part of the Tiruchi - Karaikal gauge conversion project, covering a total distance of 200 km, sanctioned by the Railway Board as early as in 1995-96.

The Tiruvarur –Nagore gauge conversion work, covering a distance of 31 kms, was taken up on an outlay of Rs. 75 crore in 2006. The project involved construction of a couple of major bridges, 96 small bridges, 15 manned level crossings and 10 unmanned level crossings.

The trial run of the train on the new track was done on March 29, 2008.

The CRS inspected the track on December 18 and 19 and found the line fit for operating regular trains by giving his green signal in the last week of December.

However, even after clearance from the CRS train services are yet to be introduced.

The Tamil Nadu Consumer Protection Council at its meeting held under the presidentship of R. Kaladharan at Nagapattinam recently adopted a resolution demanding the railways to immediately introduce train services in this section. It threatened to launch direct action if no announcement was forthcoming from the railway by the first week of February.

Meanwhile, the BG track conversion work in the 20-km Mayiladuturai – Sirkazhi section has also been completed. The trial run of the train took place on March 30, 2008.

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