Remaining portion of BG conversion in TN to be completed:Velu

Chennai, Sep 1 (UNI) Minister of State for Railways R Velu today said work on the remaining portion of broad gauge (BG) conversion in Tamil Nadu would be completed in a couple of years.

Talking to newspersons at the Southern Railway headquarters here, he said the 114-km stretch from Pudukottai to Karaikudi, Tenkasi-Sengottah (eight km), Virudhunagar-Salem (135 km), Tirunelveli-Tiruchandur (62 km), Katpadi-Vellore (ten km), Tiruvarur-Nagercoil (30 km), Karaikudi-Manamadurai (68 km), Myladuthurai-Villupuram (121 km) and the 84-km stretch from Vellore to Tiruvanamalai, would be converted to broad guage.

He said other works like laying of double line from Villupuram to Dindigul, Villupuram to Chenglepet and Dindigul to Kodaikanal would also be completed within a couple of years.

Mr Velu said that his Ministry had decided to attach 800 additional coaches depending on the requirments for various trains to meet the rush of passengers.

''To enable passengers to withdraw cash while travelling, the Railway Ministry is considering the introduction of ATM facilities in trains,'' he said adding to instal ATM facilities in trains, a separate coach with adequate security was needed.

At present, ATM facilities were available at select important stations, he informed.

He said, for the benefit of passengers, railway tickets would be issued in post offices very soon.

UNI