Divisional Railway Manager (Madurai) Sunil Kumar Garg has said that Chennai– Shencottai Pothigai Express would be extended up to Kollam in future.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday after flagging off a mobile medical van for the benefit of serving and retired railway personnel, Mr. Garg said the announcement made in the Railway Budget on extending Chennai– Manamadurai Silambu Express up to Shencottai in Tirunelveli district could not be immediately translated into action due to the Election Model Code of Conduct which was in force then.
Now, the Madurai Division had forwarded the proposal to the higher-ups in this connection for their mandatory approval. The approval was expected anytime.
Madurai Division had also forwarded a proposal on extending Pothigai Express up to Kollam on completion of the ongoing gauge conversion work between Shencottai and Punalur, which was likely to be completed before December-end.
He said the proposed track doubling between Madurai– Vanchi Maniyachi– Thoothukudi and Vanchi Maniyachi– Nagercoil would commence as early as possible as Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, which had been entrusted with the task, had already commenced the railway engineering scale plan at Tirupparankundram, Tirumangalam and Kalligudi railway stations in this connection.
“We’ve planned to complete the track doubling in these sections within four years,” the DRM said.
He ruled out the possibilities of operating a passenger train between Madurai and Shencottai during night hours to enable the tourists visiting Courtallam to reach the tourist destination without any hassle. “If this passenger train has to be operated in the night, we’ll have to keep adequate staff in many stations en route and also at manned level crossings,” Mr. Garg noted.
When his attention was drawn to the closure of a manned level crossing at Kulavanigarpuram in Tirunelveli– Tiruchendur section twice between 8 a.m. and 8.45 a.m. every day, which created a lot of hardship to school students, the DRM said he would immediately look into the issue if a proper representation was given.
