THANJAVUR: With completion of electrification of the double track between Tiruchy and Thanjavur, trial run was conducted by K.A. Manoharan, commissioner of railway safety, Southern railway in the 50-km stretch on Saturday.
An electric train with eight coaches and engine was operated between Thanjavur and Tiruchy. Platforms one and two will be used for operating electric trains. 'Poojas' were performed to the train, which started at 3.30 p.m.
Railway officials said that ordinary passenger trains will take 55 minutes while express trains will take 45 minutes to reach Tiruchy from Thanjavur. Electric trains will take only 35 minutes to reach Tiruchy.
Thus travel time will come down, said officials. Operation of trains will begin in next 20 days, they added.
A 20-kvt sub-station has been put up near Thanjavur railway station to augment power.
Southern Railway took up the project as part of electrification between Tiruchy and Karaikal for a distance of 153-kms at a cost of Rs 250 crore.
Now electric trains will be operated up to Thanjavur from places like Ernakulam and Coimbatore. From here Diesel engines will haul the trains, officials said.
P. Udhayakumar Reddy, DRM, Tiruchy, accompanied the commissioner in the trial run.
