Rail enthusiasts dismayed as century-old pit line at Ooty heritage station closed

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) enthusiasts have expressed concern over the closure of the century-old pit line at the Ooty heritage railway station as part of the ongoing development work under the Amrith Bharath Station scheme. The pit line is an extended rail structure meant for servicing of engines and brakes at the station.

The Heritage Steam Chariot Trust (HSCT) on Saturday demanded that the objects and infrastructure with heritage status should be maintained in their original condition.

K Natarajan, managing trustee, HSCT said, the century-old pit line was closed with soil.

In 2006, Natarajan said, a construction proposal on a parcel of swampy land at the railway station was cancelled, while proposing to set up a herbal garden there. "But now the authorities are developing the swampy area," he said.

Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Salem divisional railway manager, said, "The pit line at the Ooty station will be maintained as it is. As for the swampy land within the station, its boundaries will be marked and the area will be filled with mud to construct a parking lot."