The demand for laying a new railway line in the Kumbakonam-Jayamkondam-Vriddhachalam section before the forthcoming Mahamaham festival, has gathered momentum, with various organisations making a fervent plea for the same.
The demand of these associations, particularly the All Traders’ Association Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District Rail Users’ Association, Rail Passengers’ Association, Papasanam, got a shot in its arm when this issue was raised by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Rajya Sabha member V. Maitreyan in the Upper House recently.
Mr. Maitreyan, hailing from Thanjavur district, said: “The survey for the 65-km Kumbakonam–Vriddhachalam new railway line via Jayamkondam and Andimadam had been completed and is waiting for the approval of the Railway Board. The estimate for the project is around Rs. 750 crore. If this line is expedited to be completed before Mahamaham festival slated for 2016, this will prove an alternative route to Chennai, Tirupati, and Bangalore.”
Dr. Maitreyan demanded doubling of the Thanjavur-Kumbakonam line, converting halt stations at Darasuram and Tirunageswaram, which are adjacent to Kumbakonam, into block stations (crossing stations), to enable better platform management at Kumbakonam railway station during the festival. Besides, he demanded improving infrastructure in Kumbakonam station, including construction of Yatrinivas.
The above associations while congratulating Dr. Maitreyan for taking up this issue have welcomed the announcement made by D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Railway Minister, that he would discuss on the laying of new railway line between Kumbakonam and Vriddhachalam with the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The All Traders Association Kumbakonam at its meeting held recently celebrated the announcement of the Railway Minister by distributing sweets to its members and so on.
A.S.A.M. Adiyan Chettiar, its president, and V. Sathyanarayanan, its secretary, in a statement said the association had been pleading for this railway line for the past 15 years. The association urged the Railway Ministry to accord priority and complete this project before Mahamaham.
They thanked Dr. Maitreyan and R.K. Bharathimohan, MP, who spoke on this issue in the Lok Sabha and for drawing the attention of the Railway Minister.
They thanked the Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Pon Radhakrishnan for drawing the attention of the Centre.
They urged the Centre and the State government to implement all demands put forth by the association on war-footing before the Mahamaham festival, in the interest of the large number of devotees visiting this temple town from across the world on the occasion.
