The Hindu Business Line : Rajapalayam-Tenkasi BG line

MADURAI: The inauguration of the newly laid broad gauge section between Rajapalayam and Tenkasi is likely to be on September 20. The Union Railway Minister, Mr Lalu Prasad, is expected to flag off the Tenkasi-Chennai (weekly) Super fast Express. An official communication, however, is awaited, according to railway sources.

The 61-km stretch between Rajapalayam and Tenkasi has been converted at a cost of Rs 90 crore. It has been cleared for train operations, following a three-day inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety on July 15.

The sources added that the Madurai-Manamadurai broad gauge line, a 48-km stretch and part of Rameswaram-Madurai gauge conversion project, would become operational by March 2005 and by December, the broad gauge doubling project between Madurai and Dindigul would commence.

In the mean time, the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has made an appeal to the Railway Ministry, to increase the frequency of the proposed super fast express to thrice a week.

It has also sought a link train from Tenkasi to Madurai for connecting a few express trains starting from Madurai.