The much-awaited gauge conversion between Palakkad and Pollachi to enhance rail connectivity between north Kerala and pilgrim centres such as Rameswaram, Erwadi, Madurai, and Palani in Southern Tamil Nadu is finally turning into a reality with the Railways preparing to conduct a trial run in three weeks’ time.
Railway officials said almost all work on the gauge conversion was over and just finishing touches were remaining. Of the 54-km stretch, 22 km are in Tamil Nadu. The rest of the stretch is in Kerala spreading between Meenkara dam and Palakkad Town railway station. Work on all the five stations, including Palakkad town station, and locoshed at Vadakannikapuram, has been completed. “It was a long-drawn public agitation that prompted the Railways to complete the works at least now. The inordinate delay has caused a huge drain on the Railways’ coffers apart from causing severe hardship to passengers,’’ said M.B. Rajesh, MP.
The metre-gauge line between Pollachi and Palakkad was closed down in 2008 with an assurance that it would be reopened in 16 months as a broad gauge.
Result of long-drawn public agitations