Title - Kumbakonam track doubling soon - The Times of India

The Indian Railways will actively consider laying one more broad gauge line between Trichy and Kumbakonam in the near future, according to the divisional railway manager (DRM) of Tiruchirappalli Division, Manjula Rangarajan.

Manjula, who belongs to the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) and has served in various zones said in Thanjavur during an inspection that such a new line would very helpful before the next 'Mahamaham' slated to be held in 2016. The DRM also assured that the Karaikal - Chennai Egmore Express, which at present passes through Thanjavur and Kumbakonam would continue to run the same way until September 30 so that those who had already booked on this sector need not change their travel plans. From October onwards, this train would go via Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai.

Meanwhile, the railways have decided to extend the Bangalore - Salem Express up to Nagore from July 1. This extended route would run through the newly-laid Mayiladuthurai - Tiruvarur line, a 38-km project that was recently completed at a cost of Rs 204 crore and at present only good trains are operated. This line facilitates a shorter route to Tiruvarur instead of a 124-km-long circuitous route running through Thanjavur. From now on, trains that operate on the new route would bypass Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.

The Madurai division, meanwhile, has announced that two additional general second class coaches will be augmented to the passenger trains on a permanent measure. The Madurai - Rameswaram - Madurai passenger trains (56721, 56722, 56723, 56724, 56725 and 56726) will be added with two coaches from June 30 onwards.

The Madurai - Villupuram - Madurai passenger trains (56705 and 56706), will be augmented with two additional coaches from July 2, while the Madurai - Dindigul - Madurai passenger trains (56709 and 56710) will get two more coaches from July 3, a railway statement observed.

The move by the Madurai division will help thousands of passengers who depend upon these passenger trains for their daily train journey. It has been estimated that large number of passengers travel between Madurai and Dindigul for work while the passenger trains to Rameswaram are usually crowded with pilgrims going to the temple town. Villupuram is another destination for the travellers from Madurai as they can connect to Chennai easily.