Platforms one and two at the Thanjavur railway junction will be improved at a cost of Rs. 13 crore, Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed, said here on Monday.
He told presspersons that tenders for the work will be called soon after which the works would commence. It has been proposed to construct a subway at a cost of Rs. six crore. Improvements have already been carried out in platforms three, four and five and a foot overbridge completed at a cost of Rs. 4.78 crore.
The Minister directed the railway authorities to take steps to open additional ticket counters at the station. When his attention was drawn to plea to operate a train from Thanjavur in the name “Brigadeeswara Express” to commemorate the millennium of the Brigadeeswara Temple (Big Temple), the Minister said “no comments now.”
Regarding the demand for a new line from Ariyalur to Thanjavur, the Southern Railway General Manager, Deepak Krishan, said that private participation from cement companies was envisaged.
The companies had come forward to participate in the project and discussions were on among private companies, State and Central governments. When the tariff movement is taken into consideration, the line seems to be not economically viable, he said. Mr. Ahamed said that railways took into consideration economic viability, social desirability, Planning Commission's approval while taking up new projects.
Even if some projects are not economically viable, they will be taken up if they are socially desirable, the Minister said.
Regarding opening of counters for handicapped and aged persons, he said that railways had provided such facilities everywhere.
Amenities
Amenities may not be adequate when number of train services were increased, but railways had been taking up schemes to cope with the increase in traffic, the Minister said.
Union Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palani Manickam, Collector M. S. Shanmugham, Subramhanyan, DRM, Tiruchi, were present.
Earlier, the Minister was accorded a warm reception by the members of Indian Union Muslim League and railway unions upon his arrival in a special train here from Mayiladuthurai. Representatives of Thanjavur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Thanjavur -Tiruchirapalli Train Passengers Users' Association submitted memorandums containing demands to the Minister.
