Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010251370300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Ascertain railway tracks’ fitness, say traders

R. Sairam

“Take all steps to ensure smooth movement of trains”

MADURAI: Recent instances of cracks developing in the railway tracks in Madurai division of Southern Railway has led to calls for commissioning a study to ascertain their strength.

Expressing concern over incidents of rail fractures between Dindigul and Virudhunagar, the Tamil Nadu Foodgrain Merchants’ Association said that the Southern Railway must find out if the tracks in the sector were developing cracks more frequently than elsewhere.

Association secretary P. Subash Chandra Bose urged the Railways to also consider manufacturing stronger railway tracks.

Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior president S. Rethinavelu said that, of late, the number of wagons attached to trains had increased.

Further, weighing in the economic benefits, the Indian Railways had increased the load per wagon.

“Replace rails”

Although these factors could be the reason, the railway officials were blaming rusting of tracks for the cracks. “At present, railways is considered to be the safest mode of transport. Whatever be the reason, the Southern Railways must conduct a study, and if necessary, replace all the rails that are defective instead of taking piece-meal measures,” he told The Hindu here on Thursday.

Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) vice- president N. Somasundaram called upon the railways to conduct frequent inspections.

Upon completion of doubling work, the load on these routes would ease considerably as the present track utilisation was in the order of 150 to 170 per cent.

“Till such time the works are completed, all measures must be taken by Southern Railways to ensure the tracks were in shape and that movement of freight and passenger trains were not affected,” he said.