Title - Modalities for execution of Ponmalai-Thanjavur track doubling work discussed

TIRUCHI:A meeting of the top railway officials held here recently discussed the modalities for the execution of the track doubling work between Ponmalai and Thanjavur junction, to be taken up shortly.G. Narayanan, Additional General Manager, Southern Railway, held discussion with the top officials of Tiruchi Railway Division and Construction Organisation of the Southern Railway, Chennai, on the execution of this project to be taken up at an outlay of Rs. 400 crore here on Saturday.Sudhansu Sharma, Chief Engineer-central, Construction Organisation of the Southern Railway, gave a presentation on the implementation of the project. Initially, it has been planned to complete the yard modification works in Ponmalai, Tiruverumbur, Budalur, and Solagampatti railway stations.The Construction Organisation has already called for tenders for earthwork and construction of minor bridges near Goldenrock station as part of the track doubling work, which is expected to be taken up as soon as the estimate is sanctioned.

The project involved a junction, five crossing stations – Ponmalai, Tiruverumbur, Solagampatti, Budalur and Alakkudi – and three halt stations – Manjathidal, Thondamanpatti and Aiyanavaram.

Construction of 13 major bridges, 90 minor bridges, and three limited use sub-ways will form part of the execution of this project. The project will cover 19 level crossings – manned 16 and unmanned three – in this section, top railway sources told The Hindu .

Dr. Narayanan also discussed the execution of the doubling work in the Villupuram – Dindigul section with the officials of the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited on the occasion.

The doubling work on the 25-km stretch from Valadi to Kallakudi Palanganatham had already been completed and is awaiting the mandatory inspection of Commissioner of Railway Safety. The meeting discussed the speeding up of the work in the other sections.

Manjula Rangarajan, Divisional Railway Manager, Pradeep Gaur, Chief Project Manager, RVNL, Chennai, Sudhansu Sharma and other officials participated.