Date:04/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/04/stories/2008080457070100.htm

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Subways planned at 14 level crossings

Syed Muthahar Saqaf

Work between Srirangam and Valadi stations nearing completion

— Photo: R. Ashok

Safe pass: A sub-way under construction between Srirangam and Valadi stations.

TIRUCHI: The Railways has decided to convert 14 manned and unmanned level crossings into limited use subways in Tiruchi Division during the current fiscal.

While 10 sub-ways will come up in the Tiruchi–Mayiladuturai section, two will be established in the Villuppuram–Katpadi section and one each in Puducherry–Villuppuram and Mayiladuturai–Karaikudi sections. Each subway will be constructed on an outlay of Rs.75 lakh.

The work on the construction of a limited use subway between Srirangam and Valadi railway stations in the Tiruchi–Chennai broad gauge section to replace the manned level crossing is nearing completion. Concrete boxes for the construction of seven more subways are ready and work on the other subways will be taken up in a phased manner, say railway sources.

The new subways would be constructed in such a way that they do not pose any hindrance to the Railways when they take up future works such as doubling. The construction work on all these subways will be completed by March 2009, sources added.

Besides these, conversion of seven more level crossing gates into subways in this division is also under consideration.

While six fall under the Cuddalore–Vriddhachalam section, one level crossing comes in the Tiruvarur–Mayiladuturai section.

Unmanned gates

The Railways has also planned to convert 10 unmanned level crossing gates in the division as manned in the current year.