Vellore-Villupuram railway line will be electrified: Velu

Tiruvannamalai: The 151-km stretch of railway line between Vellore and Villupuram, where gauge conversion work is under progress, will be electrified at a cost of Rs. 97 crore, Minister of State for Railways R.Velu has said.

After inspecting the works at the railway station here on Saturday, he told reporters that after completing all ongoing electrification works, it would be possible to travel from Kanyakumari to Jammuthavi or Kolkata or Mumbai on an electric train.

Estimate enhanced

“The estimate for the ongoing gauge conversion work between Katpadi and Villupuram has been enhanced from Rs. 231 crore to Rs. 330 crore. Of this amount, Rs.185 crore has been spent already and works for another Rs.120 are going on.

The deadline for completing the gauge conversion works between Katpadi and Tiruvannamalai has been extended to March 2009 and between Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram to June 2009,” he said.

New rail road

Tenders for works relating to the construction of a new rail road between Tiruvannamalai and Tindivanam had been opened a few days ago and works would begin soon.

All materials required for laying broad gauge line between Katpadi and Tiruvannamalai, including sleepers, gravel etc., were ready at the sites along the line, he added.