Date:30/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/30/stories/2008123053970500.htm

Tamil Nadu

Shencottah-Punalur gauge conversion project cleared

Staff Reporter

Rs.357.75 crore for the 49-km work in the ghat section

— Photo: S.James

ASSESSING THE PROGRESS: Minister of State for Railways R. Velu inspecting the gauge conversion work between Virudhunagar and Manamadurai at the Aruppukottai station on Monday.

VIRUDHUNAGAR: The long-pending Shencottah-Punalur gauge conversion work has been sanctioned, and the tenders will be floated soon, Minister of State for Railways R. Velu said on Monday.

“We have sanctioned Rs.357.75 crore for the 49-km work in the ghat section,” Mr. Velu said here, after inspecting the gauge conversion between Virudhunagar and Manamadurai.

Though the average cost of gauge conversion was as high as Rs.7 crore for every km, he was keen on executing the work, as it served more than one purpose, he said. “It is a shorter route connecting Tamil Nadu with Kerala and will help in the trade link between the two States. Besides, it will do away with the ordeal of transhipment of passengers at Shencottah and Punalur.”

Mr. Velu said he conducted a daylong survey of the route, along with the Railway Board Member (Engineering) and evolved a method for carrying out small alterations in the five tunnels. Besides, “marginal” technical corrections would have to be done to accommodate the broad-gauge track. Instead of a different alignment for the broad-gauge track, the officials preferred “easing” of the sharp curves. The bridges would be reinforced, instead of being replaced.

The Virudhunagar-Manamadurai gauge conversion would be completed by December next year. “Many bottlenecks had been cleared after a long-drawn process. The cost has escalated by more than 60 per cent, from Rs. 98 crore to Rs. 160 crore,” Mr. Velu said.

The 67-km project involved many improvement works too. Mr. Velu said many projects could not be taken up owing to the increase in the cost of cement, steel and labour. “But now the cost has come down, and many contractors are coming forward to execute the works.” The construction of major bridges on the main line, which was delayed by natural calamities, was at an advanced stage, he said.