Work on two rail bridges across Cauvery, Coleroon begins

As part of track doubling work between Villupuram and Dindigul

RIGHT ON TRACK: Work on new rail bridge in progress across the Cauvery near Srirangam on Saturday. Photo: M. Srinath

Work has commenced on building two new railway bridges across the Cauvery and the Coleroon river here as part of the track doubling project that has been taken up between Villupuram and Dindigul.

Foundation works for these bridges have already begun. The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a wholly Government owned company, which is executing the track doubling project has also simultaneously embarked on the task of constructing major bridges in the 273-kilometre stretch from Villupuram to Dindigul as part of the doubling project.

Construction of major bridges has been taken up first as they consume more time and have a long gestational period.

The length of the new bridge that is to come up across the Coleroon will be around 900 metres, while the one across the Cauvery will be 600 metres.

The Railway Board had sanctioned Rs. 1,200 crore for the Villupuram – Dindigul doubling project and entrusted the work to the RVNL, a Special Purpose Vehicle that undertakes project development pertaining to strengthening of Golden Quadrilateral, Port and Hinterland connectivity and other viable railway projects.

The doubling project is being executed in phases with the RVNL at first taking up the 50-kilometre stretch from Valadi to Ariyalur as it was a crucial portion in the Villupuram – Tiruchi chord line section.

Track laying work is currently underway in the 25-kilometre stretch from Valadi to Kallakudi Palanganatham and earth work and construction of bridges in the remaining portion from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur (25 km).

Efforts were on to expedite the works, say RVNL officials exuding hope of completing the track doubling work from Valadi to Ariyalur by March 2013.

The Valadi–Ariyalur stretch had been taken up on priority as an additional track in this portion would ease congestion especially during night when rail movement is heavy.

RVNL officials say the Railway Board had allocated Rs. 150 crore during the 2011-12 fiscal for the doubling project and Rs. 60 crore for the 2012-13 financial year.

Funds would not be a constraint as doubling projects get priority from the Railway Board, say the officials.