Detailed Project Report for Thanjavur – Karaikal track doubling project to be ready soon

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for track doubling of Thanjavur – Karaikal broad gauge section, falling under the Tiruchi Railway Division, is to be finalised soon.

The 96-kilometre stretch via Tiruvarur Junction and Nagapattnam is one among the major sections of the Division covering parts of the fertile delta region and witnessing movement of passenger and freight trains.

The Southern Railway Construction Organisation was entrusted with the task of preparing the DPR for doubling the Thanjavur – Karaikal electrified single line stretch. Southern Railway sources said the task of preparing the DPR had reached the final stages and targeted for completion by December. 

The DPR would be a comprehensive document covering an entire gamut of aspects including land required for acquisition doubling the section, estimate for carrying out the project including electrification, traffic and number of bridges along the stretch, said the sources.

Once finalised, the DPR would be submitted to the Railway Board, New Delhi, through the Southern Railway headquarters for approval of the proposed project.

The Thanjavur – Karaikal BG stretch witnesses movement of both freight and passenger trains. Transportation of coal from Karaikal port through freight wagons takes place through the stretch towards western destinations.

Some inter-state express trains such as the daily Karaikal – Ernakulam – Karaikal; Vasco Da Gama – Velankanni – Vasco Da Gama and Karaikal – Mumbai via Tiruvarur and Peralam are operated on this stretch apart from daily passenger trains. 

Rail users in the delta region have been consistently demanding early approval and execution of the doubling project as this would pave the way for introduction of more trains.

“It is indeed a positive development that the track doubling project between Thanjavur and Karaikal has entered the DPR stage”, said A. Giri, secretary, Thanjavur District Railway Users Association. 

“The Thanjavur – Karaikal section has become highly traffic congested like the Villupuram – Thanjavur metre gauge section. Additional trains cannot be operated since it is a single line stretch at present. Early completion of the track doubling project will pave the way for introduction of more trains in view of the heavy demand from passengers along this stretch,” Mr. Giri further said. 

The railway administration should accord priority and grant early approval for the Thanjavur – Karaikal doubling project, said S. Mohan, president, Nagore Nagapattinam Rail Users Association.

Sufficient funds should be allocated to ensure its completion, which would pave the way for operation of more train services as there was high demand from passengers of Nagore, Nagapattinam. Velankanni and Karaikal to provide train connectivity to cities such as Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, Mr. Mohan further said.