With the track doubling work on the 25-km from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur near here on the verge of completion, the mandatory inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is expected by this month end.
New railway station buildings have been constructed at Kallagam and Sillakudi as part of the doubling project being executed by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
The platform of Kallakudi Palanganatham station has been extended under the project to accommodate 24 coaches. High-level platforms to a height of 420 metres have been constructed at Kallagam and Sillakudi railway stations en route.
RVNL, a Government of India Enterprise, took up the 50–km track doubling work in two portions simultaneously — one between Valadi and Kallakudi Palanganatham (25 km) and the other from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur (25 km).
Heavy congestionRailways has chosen the section for track doubling as this happens to be a crucial segment in the Tiruchi–Villupuram chord line stretch with heavy congestion at night. Valadi-Kallakudi Palangantham double line was thrown open to rail traffic consequent to the safety clearance given by the CRS last year.
Railway officials told The Hindu that track doubling work in the remaining portion from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur was nearing completion.
RVNL has spent Rs. 100 crore for laying a second track in this portion which has seven major bridges and 32 minor bridges midway. Maruthayar bridge is the longest in the section with nine spans. Finishing work is apace in this stretch and the mandatory inspection by the CRS is expected by this month end, the officials said.
