Title - Protection walls to prevent frequent landslide on NMR track

Protection walls would be constructed and strong iron rods laid to prevent frequent landslides on Nilgiris Mountain Rail track, running over a stretch of 40 KM, a top Southern Railway official said today.

The railways has identified the spots, where frequent landslides occurred on the track and concrete walls would be constructed to prevent such incidents in future, General Manager of Southern Railway Rakesh Mishra told reporters here.

Mishra, who was here to inspect various stations on the route, said, the department was in the process of carrying out maintenance on Mettupalayam-Coonoor Track, which would be completed in a year.

Due to reduced allocation for Southern Railway from Rs 1,200 crore last year to Rs 600 crore in this year's budget, new works cannot be taken up in the region, he said.

To a question on introducing special trains between Udhagamandalam to Coonoor to attract more tourists, Mishra said the issue would be considered after looking at the feasibility.

The third oil-fired engine being manufactured at Golden Rock Workshop in Tiruchirapalli, for NMR would be received by September end, Mishra said.