Southern States
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Tamil Nadu-Chennai
Tambaram-Beach broad gauge EMU service from Monday
By Our Special Correspondent
CHENNAI, JAN. 23. Broad gauge EMU services between Tambaram and Beach will be inaugurated from Jan. 28 and initially 12 pairs of services will be operated, out of which six will be between Tambaram and Beach and the rest from Tambaram to Egmore.
Addressing a press conference here today, the Southern Railway General Manager, V. Anand said each BG EMU will have 9 car rake with a capacity of 2844 against 1774 in MG EMUs. The BG EMU services will be operated during peak hours with limited stoppages.
Similarly, the number of MRTS services between Beach and Tirumailai would be increased from 90 to 118 per day during week days and from 66 to 70 on Sundays from Jan 28. The frequency would be rationalised so that the service was available at an interval of 20 minutes throughout the day. The running time also would be reduced from 20 to 16 minutes.
The General Manager said the revision of MRTS timings would ensure availability of trains throughout the day and depending on patronage, the number of coaches would be increased from three to six.
Mr.Anand hoped that the introduction of BG EMU services would relieve considerably the burden on MG EMU services. The work on suburban conversion would begin in February, when the Egmore-Beach section would be taken up. After completing the conversion by December, the work on Egmore- Tambaram stretch would begin.
If sufficient funds were allotted, he said, it was possible to complete the project in two years. The total cost of the project was about Rs 520 crores, to be shared equally by the Railway Ministry and the State Government. The project included construction of 12 ROBs/RUBs which would eliminate all level crossings on the section.
Referring to the progress of the MRTS phase II between Tirumailai and Velacherry, the G.M said the target date was December 2002. He was confident of meeting the deadline as the work had been progressing satisfactorily excepting a few minor problems such as removal of encroachments and acquisition of land.
Mr.Anand wanted the State Government to introduce link bus services to various locations from MRTS stations so that the suburban train and bus complemented each other. The railway administration would also work for a common ticketing system on suburban sections for the convenience of commuters.
Admitting that there was a necessity for quadrupling between Chennai and Arakkonam, and dedicated lines for EMU from Chennai to Gummudipundi, the General Manager said the Railway Board had been apprised of it.
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