Chandigarh-Morinda rail track inspected

Chandigarh, Mar 31 (UNI) The final exercise to certify the safety of the 45-km section of the Chandigarh- Morinda railway line was completed today with the Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS), Northern Railway Bhupinder Singh inspecting the track.

After inspecting the section between the Morinda and Mohali railway stations yesterday, the CRS today inspected the remaining section up to the Chandigarh railway station. The inspection by the CRS is the final step before passenger trains run on the track.

Mr Bhupinder Singh said the track would become operational for passenger trains soon. After inspsecting the track on ''push trolleys'', speed trials would be made to test the strength of the track.

The CRS was accompanied by senior officials from the Northern Railway headquarters at New Delhi.

The elctrification of the 45-km section rail track between Chandigarh and Morinda has been cleared by the Railway Board. About Rs 14 crore was sanctioned for the electrification.

The total cost of eletrification of the Chandigarh-Mohali-Morinda track which will go upto Ludhiana has been estimated at Rs 42 Crore.

Railway Sources said with eletrification it would be possible to