Date:05/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/05/stories/2009070550670200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli

Gauge conversion work to begin soon

Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI: Work on gauge conversion between Shencottai and Punalur will commence shortly, Chief Administrative Officer, Southern Railway, R. Ramanathan, said.

During an informal chat with reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Ramanathan, who inspected the ongoing second and third pit line work at Tirunelveli railway station, said the gauge conversion between Tirunelveli and Tenkasi, taken up at a cost of Rs. 200 crore, would be completed by December 2010.

While the railway stations at Cheranmahadevi, East Kadayam, Ambasamudram and Paavoorchathram would be constructed afresh, other railway stations would be renovated.

Four tunnels

When the gauge conversion between Shencottai and Punalur was taken up, all four tunnels in this section would be widened and the tunnels reinforced with concrete to ensure safety.

Once the electrification and track doubling between Chengalpet and Madurai was completed, there would be no need for halting trains from southern districts for signal.