First part of track doubling inspected

Commissioner of Railway Safety inspects nearly 19-km-long second railway line

Officials inspect the newly laid second broad gauge line in Solagampatti - Ponmalai section on Wednesday.

K.A. Manoharan, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Bengaluru, on Wednesday inspected the new second railway line laid from Ponmalai to Solagampatti as a part of the Ponmalai – Thanjavur track doubling project.

Accompanied by top officers of Tiruchi Railway Division and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspected the nearly 19-km second railway line laid in the portion from Solagampatti to Ponmalai, on a motor trolley.

He inspected the newly laid second line besides minor and major bridges, level crossing gates and points en-route, said sources.

The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited is executing the 47-km track doubling works from Ponmalai to Thanjavur at a cost of ₹ 400 crore with the first portion from Ponmalai to Solagampatti having been completed.

Upon completion of motor trolley inspection, he carried out a high speed trial run travelling on board a special train from Solagampatti to Ponmalai in the evening. Track doubling works which were apace in the remaining 28 km stretch from Solagampatti to Thanjavur are expected to be completed by December.