Railways to construct 105 overbridges, underbridges in TN

Chennai, Jan 12 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu today announced that 105 railway overbridges and underbridges would be constructed across all level-crossings in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 2,116 crore.

Talking to reporters after holding a review meeting with the officials of railways and state highways department here, Mr Velu said the railways had approved 131 bridges between 1989 and 2007.

However, only 26 bridges were completed at a cost of Rs 216 crore, he said adding that by the end of this year, 20 more bridges would be constructed.

Mr Velu said the railways had chalked out a plan to establish a corporation exclusively for construction of bridges across the level-crossings.

''Through this initiative, we will be able to construct 40 bridges on an average annually,'' he said adding that 25 per cent of the accidents occurred in level-crossings and 60 per cent proved fatal.

Mr Velu also announced that the railways would operate 56 special trains for the Pongal festival between January 11 and 17.

UNI SNR AJ LS KN1702