Date:13/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031315750600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Trains cancelled to facilitate gauge conversion

Special Correspondent

Kalam to be invited to inaugurate BG link to Rameswaram

CHENNAI : The Southern Railway administration is confident of completing the gauge conversion between Manamadurai and Rameswaram before May this year.

According to a railway official here, the conversion work from Manamadurai to Mandapam was over and the conversion work on the 2.3 km long Pamban bridge, across Palk Straits between Rameswaram and the mainland was going on in full swing. This should be completed by the third week of April along with terminal facilities at Rameswaram station.

The administration is planning to invite President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for inaugurating the new BG line at Rameswaram, the hometown of the President.

Meanwhile, the gauge conversion from Pudukottai to Karaikudi will also be completed by April 14. This conversion would provide BG link to Karaikudi. Union Finance Minister P. Chidamabram is likely to be invited to open the new line. Southern Railway will take up the conversion of Karaikudi-Manamadurai (61km) stretch from April. For this the administration is closing the Karaikudi-Manamadurai metre gauge section from April 1. The work will be completed by December this year. The administration is giving top priority to this work.

Referring to Salem-Vriddhachalam conversion work, the official said it was delayed as contractors, who were given two bridge works, had abandoned the job. Fresh tenders had to be floated for the work.

The official said Villupuram-Chengalpattu doubling would take at least two more years, as the work was sanctioned only in the last supplementary budget.

The administration wanted to complete the doubling work between Dindigul and Kodaikanal Road before March 2008 as it was the most congested section.

Estimate is being prepared for the gauge conversion of Dindigul-Pollachi-Coimbatore. In view of the closure of Karaikudi-Manamadurai section, the following changes are made for the following services.

Trains fully cancelled: Train nos 853/854 Karaikudi - Manamadurai - Karaikudi

Nos. 855/856 Manamadurai -Virudhunagar-Manamadurai passenger.

Partially cancelled: Train Nos. 6701/6702 Tiruturaipoondi - Manamadurai - Tiruturaipoondi Expresses will be partially cancelled between Karaikudi and Manamadurai and will run between Tiruturaipoondi and Karaikudi only, according to a railway press release.