S R proposing to develop Tambaram as hub

Chennai, Dec 22 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu today said Southern Railway proposed to develop Tambaram as an important hub at an estimated cost of Rs 47 crore in order to decongest Egmore railway station here.

Participating in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) Car Shed at Tambaram, he said some key components included construction of two additional platforms, improvement of passenger amenities, concourse, installation of high mast lighting among others.

He said the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) services between Tiruvanmiyur and Velachery would be delayed by another one-and-a-half months. MRTS services till Velachery were to be extended by the year-end, but the recent heavy rains had caused the delay.

Due to the rain, engineers and staff were unable to complete some work on this small leg, though installation of girders had been completed, he added.

Once work on this leg was completed around March, they would start work between Velachery and St Thomas Mount, the nod for which had been granted by the Centre, he added.

The Minister said the rail connectivity would be provided between Puducherry and Mahe and the new line would be inaugurated on January 3. Connecting trains would link Puducherry with Yanam as well soon.

A train link between Karaikal and Nagore would be established and the Government of the Union Territory of Puducherry had agreed to give half the project cost, he added.

He said broad guage trains on the Thanjavur-Thiruvarur line would be inaugurated on December 28 and Tiruchirapalli-Pudukottai would be dedicated by Finance Minister P Chidambaram on January 5.

Lauding employees of the EMU car shed, he said the facility was among the best in India and announced a cash award of Rs five lakh.

He said 60 lakh commuters travelled on suburban electric trains in Mumbai, while the number was five lakh in Chennai. They planned to increase this figure to 7.5 lakh. This could be achieved if commuters entered and alighted from trains faster than at present, he added.

At present, the number of rakes operated on the Tambaram-Chennai Beach suburban sector was 24 a day and it was planned to increase it to 30. Further, the rakes would have 12 compartments instead of the present nine. The EMU Car Shed, established in 1931, had adequate facilities to attend to 12-coach rakes, the Minister added.

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