The doubling work in Chennai-Madurai broad gauge section is likely to get over by the end of 2016, according to Sunil Kumar Garg, Divisional Railway Manager.
Addressing the executive committee members of the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Friday, Mr. Garg acknowledged the delay in the project and said that while the doubling work in Tiruchi-Manaparai and Dindigul-Thamaraipadi sections was expected to be completed in a month, the rest of the work would get over by end of 2016.
He said that the Shencottah-Punalur gauge conversion work was also expected to get over around the same time.
Regarding the Madurai-Bodinaickanur broad gauge work, Mr. Garg said that funding for the project had come down.
He said that since the Madurai–Bodinaickanur broad gauge line, if completed, was not expected to attract significant freight or passenger patronage, the project had been put in the back burner.
On the chamber members’ concern that the multi-functional complex constructed three years ago in Madurai had not been opened yet, Mr. Garg said that control over the complex was presently with IRCON, a wholly owned subsidiary company of the Indian Railways, and he was in touch with the company officials to get the complex functional.
N. Jegatheesan, president of the chamber, and S. Rethinavelu, senior president, said that the trade and business would contribute to flood relief work.
