Cent per cent privatisation has been assured for laying a new railway line between Thanjavur and Ariyalur, said the Union Minister of State for Finance S.S.Palani Manickam, in Thanjavur on Tuesday.
He told presspersons that as per the revised policy of the Railway Ministry, cent per cent privatisation was encouraged in railway projects. Accordingly, MARG Private Company Ltd, which is operating the Karaikal port, has come forward to lay the new railway line between Thanjavur and Ariyalur.
They have written a letter to the Union Railway Ministry through the State Government assuring their cent per cent participation in the project. On the recommendation made by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, the railway ministry has agreed to accept the proposal and necessary orders are expected soon, the Minister said.
MARG has also agreed to provide cent per cent participation in laying another new railway line between Karaikal and Mayiladuthurai via Thirukadaiyur. MARG has been handling coal through Karaikal port and is sending it to cement factories in Ariyalur and Perambalur and for other uses in other districts through lorries now.
Mr. Palani Manickam also said that new bus stand at Thiruvaiyaru, a bridge across Kollidam at Poondi near Thanjavur connecting Thanjavur and Tiruchi districts and a Samathuvapuram at Sethubavachathiram in Thanjavur district will soon be declared open by the Deputy Chief Minister M.K.Stalin.
A sum of Rs 50 crore has been allotted by the Union Ministry of Surface Transport to widen and strengthen the Perambalur - Thanjavur section of the Perambalur - Manamadurai road.
