Railway division gets funds for subways, ROBs

MADURAI: The Madurai railway division has been sanctioned Rs 166.7 crore for construction of subways, track renewals and bridge works and another Rs 100.38 crore to construct five rail overbridges across the division in this railway budget.
Divisional railway manager, Sunil Kumar Garg said they submitted these proposals for the current budget and the Railway Board approved them.The railways is keen to close 3,400 unmanned level crossings across the country by setting aside Rs 6,500 crore. In Madurai division, 34 subways will be constructed at a cost of Rs 103.59 crore. Five rail overbridges; one each at Thirumagnalam, Tirutangal, two on the Virudhunagar – Shencottah section and one on the Tirunelveli – Shencottah section.
“With subways and rail over bridges, the issue of unmanned level crossings will be effectively addressed,” Garg said. Further, the division will carry out track renewal works between Tiruchchirapalli and Dindigul for 28 km and between Virudhunagar and Tenkasi sections for 40 km. The bridge works will include replacing 32 corroded girders with new ones on Pamban bridge at a cost of Rs 10.48 crore, replacing 1 to 10 spans of the bridge with U girders at a cost of Rs 4.92 crore and setting aside Rs 34.9 crore to replace full Scherzer lift span of Pamban bridge.
He also said that Rs 85 crore has been allotted for gauge conversion works on Shencottah – Punalur section out of the Rs 340 crore required for completing the project.
“We can call it handsome funding and we can expect more funding if the allotted amount is exhausted within this year. At this rate of funding, the project can be completed within four years. Once completed, it will be the shortest route to Kerala and will connect the east coast with west coast and Konkan Railway,” he said.