More than five years after rail traffic was stopped on the Karaikudi - Pattukottai section for gauge conversion works, public can now expect resumption of train services on this stretch.
The Construction Organisation of the Southern Railway has finally completed the gauge conversion works in the nearly 75-kilometre section from Karaikudi to Pattukottai after long delay. With works in this portion having been finished, the new broad gauge stretch is now ready for mandatory inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, Bengaluru soon.
Railway sources told The Hindu that the CRS would conduct a three-day inspection of the stretch where a new broad gauge track has been laid besides construction of major and minor bridges replacing the existing ones to meet the broad gauge standards.
The mandatory inspection by the CRS would be on February 27, 28 and March 1. The CRS is expected to start the inspection from Karaikudi Junction by travelling on a motor-trolley for two days. The speed trial would be done on March 1, the sources said.
The stretch would be ready for resumption of rail traffic once the CRS accords his statutory clearance post inspection.
The Karaikudi - Pattukottai stretch is part of the nearly 185 kilometre Mayiladuthurai - Karaikudi gauge conversion project covering important towns such as Tiruvarur, Pattukottai, Tiruthuraipoondi, Peravurani and Aranthangi situated in the agrarian central districts.
As part of the project, the stretch from Mayiladuthurai to Tiruvarur has already been completed with train services in operation.
The remaining stretches were split into two: Tiruvarur to Pattukottai via Tiruthuraipoondi and from Pattukottai to Karaikudi via Peravurani and Aranthangi (75 km) where gauge conversion works were carried out simultaneously by the Southern Railway Construction Organisation.
Railway sources said all the 36 level crossings in the Karaikudi - Pattukottai stretch would be manned gates.
Fourteen major and 255 minor bridges have been constructed in this stretch as part of this gauge conversion project costing around ₹300 crore for this portion alone, said the officials.
New station buildings have been constructed replacing the old ones at Periayakottai, Aranthangi, Ayingudi, Peravurani and Pattukottai.
The length of the platforms at Aranthangi and Pattukottai stations is 540 metres each to accommodate 24 coaches, while it is 420 metres each in the remaining Periyakottai, Ayingudi and Peruvarani stations, said a senior official. The stretch has three halt stations : Kandanur Puduvayal, Valaramanickam and Ottankaadu.
The last metre gauge train was operated in October 2012 after which rail services were stopped for gauge conversion works. The inordinate delay in the execution of the project was due to fund constraints, said the official adding that the works gained momentum three years ago. The Karaikudi - Pattukottai stretch is the longest section to be made ready for CRS inspection following completion of gauge conversion works, said the official.
Another senior official said the ongoing gauge conversion works in the Tiruvarur – Pattukottai via Tiruthuraipoondi stretch was expected to be completed by July.
