The Hindu : Pattabiram-Tiruvallur fourth line sanctioned

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 27, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Pattabiram-Tiruvallur fourth line sanctioned

By S.Vydhianathan

CHENNAI FEB. 26. The Railway Ministry has finally recognised the need for providing additional lines for suburban traffic on the Chennai - Arakkonam and Chennai - Korukkupet sections.

In the 2003-04 budget, presented by the Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar, today, the Ministry sanctioned a fourth line between Pattabiram and Tiruvallur and additional lines from Beach to Korukkupet.

According to officials here, the fourth line between Pattabiram and Tiruvallur will become a reality before the end of the next financial year as the Ministry has allotted the entire cost of the project (Rs. 35 crores) in the current budget.

At present there are four lines between Chennai and Pattabiram, including two dedicated lines for suburban traffic, three lines from Pattabiram to Tiruvallur, and two lines from Tiruvallur to Arakkonam.

With the increase in commuter traffic in the last five years, provision of dedicated lines for EMUs on the Chennai - Arakkonam section has been a vociferous demand. After repeated representations from various commuters' associations, the Ministry now agreed to add one more line between Pattabiram and Tiruvallur so that it will provide dedicated two lines for the complete length of Chennai to Tiruvallur.

As the existing third line between Pattabiram and Tiruvallur is in the alignment of fourth line, there is no need for acquisition of land. Moreover, preliminary works for laying the new line had already been completed. Hence the work could be completed before the end of the next financial year, said officials.

Thanks to the persistent efforts by the Southern Railway administration, the Ministry at last agreed for a separate suburban corridor on the Chennai - Athipattu section. While doubling work is already going on between Athipattu and Korukkupet, the Ministry, in the current budget, extended it to Beach from Korukkupet.

The Ministry allotted Rs. 15 crores for the Athipattu - Korukkupet section and Rs. 5 crores for the Beach - Korukkupet section.

MRTS project

Regarding the MRTS project, which got bogged down in moderate delays in the past couple of years, the officials said the second phase between Tirumailai to Velacheri would become operational only by September though the Minister announced that it would be open to traffic by the middle of this year. Though it would not be possible to complete the station building work before September, minimum facilities could be provided for operating the services.

However, there was no mention about the extension of the second phase from Velacheri to St.Thomas Mount in the budget, which is a sanctioned work.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Pattabiram-Tiruvallur fourth line sanctioned

Officials coming in the way of works: Alandur councillors

Technology, a boon to hearing impaired: Governor

T.Nagar robbery: special teams to trace culprits

HC allows DMK member to attend Corpn. council meet