Ratlam-Neemuch gauge conversion to be completed soon

Ratlam, MP, Dec 21 (UNI) Gauge conversion of the roughly 140-km Ratlam-Neemuch track is on the verge of completion and trains will ply on it in January 2007, Railway sources said.

The conversion was executed in two-and-a-half months.

A diesel locomotive did a trial run between here and Jaora on Tuesday. It left from here at 1100 hrs, moved at only 20 kmph and reached the destination at 1430 hrs with officials and a team of technicians. Movement was halted on the Ratlam-Neemuch since October 1 due to conversion work.

''Attempts are underway to speedily finish platform and other work relating to stations along this route,'' said Deputy Chief Engineer Shyam Singh.

Goods trains would be permitted to ply in the first week of January. Gauge conversion is underway on the Neemuch-Chittaurgarh route.

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