Chennai: The railway budget has allocated Rs 1,126.10 crore towards doubling of lines, a lion’s share of the total budget outlay, for Tamil Nadu various infrastructure projects such as new lines, gauge conversion and new Road over Bridges (ROB).
The major doubling projects include 110-km Villupuram — Dindigul stretch, 47-km Thanjavur- Ponmalai stretch and the line connecting Madurai, Maniyachi and Nagercoil.
In total, the state has been allocated Rs 2,064 crore towards various infrastructure projects that are to be undertaken, Rs 22 crore more than that of the previous year allocation. Senior railway officials told DC that the much-awaited auto-hub at Walajabad, the first of its kind in the country, would become operational in an year. While Rs 50.38 crores has been allocated towards laying new lines, Rs 332 crore has been provided for gauge conversion.
Southern Railway general manager Vashishta Johri told presspersons the decision on forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) between railways and State government to fast-forward railway projects, is in its final stage of clearance.
The first phase of the Rs 12 crore third major railway terminal at Tambaram is expected to be operational by June, the GM said. The second phase will be completed by the year end. Among other facilities, it will have two additional platforms.
