The Karaikal District Rail Users’ Association has urged the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to announce creation of new broad gauge line between Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal in the railway budget.
In a memorandum forwarded to the minister, its president V. R. Dhanaseelane said a survey for BG line between Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal via Mayiladuthurai, Mannampandal, Sembanarkoil, Akkur, Tirukkadaiyur, Tharangambadi, Tirunallar, Karaikkovilpathu was sanctioned by the Railway Board during 2005-2006. The survey was conducted and a report was submitted to the Railway Board in 2007. The length of the line is 47.32 km and the expenditure was estimated at Rs. 114.58 crores. However, a decision was yet to be taken in this regard. The work should be started soon with allocation of adequate funds.
Electrification of line from Karaikal to Tiruchi was sanctioned at a cost of Rs.300 crore but the work was yet to be implemented.
The minister should ensure double line conversion from Karaikal to Thanjavur and from Thanjavur to Tiruchi to provide better service to passengers, and a separate line for goods service from Karaikal Port as it was a good revenue pocket to the Tiruchi Division.
