Broad gauge inauguration put off

Chennai, Aug 3 (UNI) The Rameswaram-Manamadurai broad gauge railway line inaugural ceremony, slated for August 6, has been postponed.

Railway sources here said, the function has been postponed as Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who is to dedicate the new section on historic Pamban bridge, will not be able to make it on that day.

The fresh date for the much-awaited function is not known immediately. The function is likely to be held after a week or ten days, the sources said.

A report from Rameswaram said after the Railways fixed the inaugural ceremony for August six, work relating to the erection of a huge dias began last night near the Rameswaram bus stand and the local Railway station was given a face lift.

The opposition AIADMK had staged a demonstration at Rameswaram on August one, protesting against the delay in opening the sector for public.

AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa had accused the Railways of delaying the inauguration and causing hardship to pilgrims and general public, who wanted to visit the temple town and a Dargah at Ervadi.

UNI