The Hindu : Rail users count on Moorthy to keep projects going

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Rail users count on Moorthy to keep projects going

By S. Vydhianathan

CHENNAI FEB. 25. With the Minister of State, A. K. Moorthy, at the helm of affairs, there is much expectation among rail-users on allotment funds for on-going projects in the region, in Wednesday's railway budget.

As many as 15 projects, most of them for gauge conversion, are in various stages and need a substantial allocation for early completion. None of them can be completed in the next financial year, but a significant stretch may be converted if a sufficient allocation is made available.

Southern Railway officials hope that the Villupuram - Thanjavur (main line) conversion will get a boost in the budget as zonal authorities want to complete the Thanjavur - Kumbakonam section (38 km) before the year-end, for Mahamaham in Kumbakonam falling in March next.

They have already written to the Ministry for sanction of the conversion of the metre gauge line between Chengalpattu and Villupuram. With the Thanjavur - Villupuram gauge conversion already sanctioned, one more BG line on the Chengalpattu - Villupuram section is necessary to meet the growing traffic.

The other project, which needs adequate funds, is Virudhunagar - Quilon conversion. Already, traffic between Virudhunagar and Tenkasi has been suspended to take up the work. In the current financial year sizable funds may be allocated to complete the Virudhunagar - Rajapalayam stretch and link it with the Tirunelveli - Virudhunagar section.

Similarly, the administration wants to complete doubling work from Coimbatore to Irgur, as the traffic volume in the section is high. On suburban projects, officials here say the administration might get a sufficient allocation for laying the fourth line from Pattabiram to Tiruvallur and for completing the second phase of the Mass Rapid Transport System project between Tirumailai and Velacheri.

The fourth line between Tiruvallur and Pattabiram can be completed if a substantial allocation is made. The sources expect that the MRTS will become operational by the year-end.

The other on-going conversion projects, including the Quilon - Tenkasi - Tirunelveli - Tiruchendur, Madurai - Rameswaram, Tiruchi - Manamadurai, Thanjavur - Nagore, and Cuddalore - Vriddhachalam - Salem projects and the Salem— Karur new line might get funds just to keep them going, the sources explain.

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