Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Doubling Of Railway Line Between Trichy And Dindigul In Tamil Nadu. on 20 March, 2017
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Regarding doubling of railway line between Trichy and Dindigul in Tamil Nadu.
SHRI M. UDHAYAKUMAR (DINDIGUL): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, Makkalal naan, Makkalukkagave naan - which means I am by the people and for the people - is the famous quote of our leader, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. Amma was seen as a powerful, authoritarian administrator who maintained hold over people's affection. The rural poor benefited from many welfare schemes launched by her and it was among them that she was most revered with fervor bordering on religion.
Let me thank our leader, an era in Tamil Nadu politics, for providing me an opportunity to speak at this auspicious time in this House.
A doubling project of 273 kilometres of railway track from Viluppuram to Dindigul at a total cost of Rs 1,200 crore is being executed by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited. The work had commenced in 2013 and is to be completed by March, 2017.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited has taken up track doubling works on two stretches beyond Trichy as part of the ongoing doubling project from Viluppuram to Dindigul. Work on doubling the Manapparai-Trichy stretch was over, but work on Manapparai - Dindigul section is suspended. The track doubling work between Thamaraipadi and Manapparai involving 50 kms., especially, near Vadamadurai, Dindigul District was pending owing to various practical difficulties.
I urge upon the hon. Railway Minister to complete the doubling of 50 kms. track between Manapparai - Thamaraipadi stretch within the fiscal year so as to make Madurai - Chennai doubling become a reality.
I also request the Railway Minister to expedite the remaining portions where doubling works were on, that is, Villupuram - Tiruvennainallur; Vriddhachalam – Mathur; and Valadi to Tiruchi. Laying of a double line would ease congestion in the chord line section and movement of train services when it reaches its peak and eventually lead to reduction in travel time. Also, it will give a big push to freight movement thereby enabling Railways to enhance its revenue. Thank you, Sir.