Electric line work in full speed

Southern Railway aims to complete electrification works on three sections in Tiruchi Division this year. The electrification project currently apace on the 50-km long Tiruchi–Thanjavur broad gauge section is likely to be completed by June.

Around 2,000 masts will be established along the section as part of the electrification works being carried out by the Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE) under the Ministry of Railways.

Simultaneously, electrification is also underway on the nearly 95-km Thanjavur–Karaikal section. The works are likely to be completed by December. Electrification of the Nagapattinam–Velankanni (10 km) broad gauge section is also expected to be completed by that time. The project cost for electrification of the sections exceeds Rs. 200 crore, said a CORE official.

Electrification of the 140-km stretch from Tiruchi to Erode via Karur has been completed and awaiting mandatory inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety prior to operation of an electric loco-hauled passenger and freight trains in the section.

Accroding to a Southern Railway release, a slew of works, including conversion of unmanned level crossings into manned, has been completed during the current financial year in Tiruchi Division. A total number of 19 unmanned level crossings has been converted into manned, and subways have been provided in lieu of six level crossings in the vast limits of Tiruchi Division.

New station buildings have been constructed at Budalur and Tiruverumbur on the Tiruchi–Thanjavur section with provision of high-level platforms to accommodate 24 coaches. Foot over bridges have been commissioned at Tiruverumbur, Solagampatti and Puducherry railway stations at a total cost of Rs. 9 crore. The platform in Tiruchi Fort railway station has been extended at a cost of Rs. 1.99 crore to accommodate 24 coaches.

Source