With doubling work apace in the Ariyalur-Valadi railway section, the track linking work in the stretch from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur is targeted for completion before the end of the current financial year.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a special purpose vehicle executing the doubling project, has also planned to complete signalling, overhead electrification and other works in the 25-km Kallakudi Palanganatham–Ariyalur stretch by March. The doubling work in the 50-km Ariyalur – Valadi BG section was taken up in two portions simultaneously- from Valadi to Kallakudi Palanganatham (25 km) and from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur (25 km). With the track linking work in the 25-km stretch from Valadi to Kallakudi Palanganatham already completed, the RVNL will soon forward papers to the Commissioner of Railway Safety for obtaining clearance for the stations at first.
The work is part of the Villupuram – Dindigul doubling project (270 km) that is being carried out by the RVNL, a wholly owned government company that executes projects pertaining to strengthening of golden quadrilateral, port and hinterland connectivity and other viable railway projects.
A top RVNL official said all major works including track linking, signalling and overhead electrification in the stretch from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur had been targeted for completion by the end of the current fiscal. A few rooms had been added in Lalgudi railway station that falls within the 50 – km section for signalling facilities. Likewise, few rooms would be added at Ariyalur station too for the same purpose. The new station building at Sillakudi as part of the project was nearing completion, while the new station building at Kallagam would come up before March.
The Ariyalur–Valadi section was taken up at first for doubling as it was a crucial stretch in the chord line from Villupuram to Tiruchi to ease congestion during night hours. The official said sub structures of the new bridges being constructed along the Cauvery and the Coleroon rivers at Tiruchi as part of the doubling project had been completed. The RVNL had recently awarded contracts for all kind of works to be taken up under the doubling project from Tiruchi to Dindigul.
