Track doubling on Villupuram-Tiruchi chord line has been completed for 80 km and the work on the remaining 100 km would be completed by December 2016, according to A.K. Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi.
The doubling work on Tiruchi-Thanjavur section is expected to be completed by March 2017. He told presspersons that the requirements of the division had been conveyed to the Railway Board.
Refusing to disclose details, he pointed out that the number of trains would go up once the doubling works were completed. He said that announcement on operation of special trains for the mahamaham festival at Kumbakonam was expected soon. “We have planned adequate special trains locally and announcements on long-distance trains will be made soon.
“We are gearing up to handle about 70,000 passengers a day in Kumbakonam during the 10 days of the festival period,” he said.
About Rs. 11 crore was spent on improving amenities, including extension of platforms, shelters, provision of drinking water supply, and other amenities.
Mr. Agarwal said that work on installation of LED coach indication boards in 21 railway stations in the division would be taken up soon.
The boards would be put up at Golden Rock, Tiruchi Town, Lalgudi, Kallakudi Palanganatham, Pennadam, Tiruverumbur, Budalur, Papanasam, Aduthurai, Kutralam, Vaitheeswaran Kovil, Sirkazhi, Panruti, Needamangalam, Nagore, Velankanni, Tirukovilur, Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Arni Road, and Vellore Cantonment.
Closed Circuit Television Cameras are proposed to be installed at 12 stations. Of these, tenders have been received for installing the equipment only at Srirangam and Kumbakonam.
Published - December 20, 2015 12:00 am IST
