The electrification work from Villupuram to Tiruchi has been completed and a date has to be declared for inauguration, the Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed said on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media after inaugurating the 14th Indian Railways Jamborette here, the Minister said the broad gauge conversion work in the 122-km stretch from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai has been completed.
Goods train in the newly laid BG track between Villupuram and Mayiladuthurai had been operated. Passenger trains were yet to commence as the railways had to get the clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety, the Minister said.
He exuded hope that the work of laying a new BG track in the 10 kilometre stretch from Nagapattinam to Velankanni would be over in two months. Regarding the new BG line from Nagore to Karaikal, he said the work would be completed within six months.
He said the broad gauge conversion work from Villupuram to Vellore would be completed in two months. A survey for laying a new BG line from Thanjavur to Ariyalur had been completed and the report submitted to the Railway Board.
Stating the doubling work between Villupuram and Dindigul was in the initial stage, he said the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited would take up the work in phases covering priority stretches between Ariyalur and Valadi and from Tiruchi to Dindigul.
Replying to a query, Mr. Ahamed said there was no plan to create a new railway zone or a railway division at the moment. He said maximum number of trains announced in the railway budget had been introduced within a short time.
