Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (Lucknow) Sudhir Kumar on Tuesday began a two-day inspection of the newly laid 122-km Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai broad gauge section.
His entourage set out in eight motorised trolleys from Villupuram in the morning and, after covering 35 km, reached the Varakkalpattu railway station in the afternoon.
Mr. Kumar told reporters that he had come to inspect the new broad gauge section and related earthworks, bridges and level-crossings. The quality of work, taken up by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd, was good.
But for a few flights of steps and earthworks at railway stations the project was almost complete.
Soon after the inspection on Wednesday, a special train would be run on the track at the maximum permissible speed (he declined to divulge the speed) on trial basis.
Mr. Kumar, who is from the Civil Aviation Department, said he would submit the inspection report to the Railway Ministry in three-four days.
It was for the latter to decide on commencement of regular train services.
Black flag protest
Later, at the Thirupadiripuliyur railway station Mr. Kumar was greeted with black flags by social activists. The police arrested and removed 19 persons.
They urged railway authorities to expedite the work on the subway for which sanction had been accorded.
