Southern Railway has decided to install metal fence and construct boundary walls at chosen locations along the busy Tiruchi-Dindigul broad gauge section amid recurring instances of cattle run-over on the track.
The over 85-km electrified section in the Madurai Railway Division has witnessed many cattle run-over cases in the last three years. The fencing project is aimed at enhancing safety in rail operations as an immediate measure.
The Madurai Railway Division has floated a tender for the work on the Tiruchi-Manapparai-Ayyalur stretch along the Tiruchi-Dindigul section, said railway sources.
The project, to be completed in 24 months, is estimated to cost ₹65 crore. The construction of boundary wall and metal type fencing will be taken up in the up and down line sections. The W-beam type metal fencing along the Tiruchi-Manapparai-Ayyalur stretch would be for a length of 73.60 km while the boundary wall with prestressed precast panel, precast column, and precast RCC foundation will be for a length of 46.4 km.
The areas where the boundary wall or metal fence are to be constructed adjoining the track along the Tiruchi-Manapparai-Ayyalur stretch have been identified by the railway authorities. The sources said a total of 13 head of cattle were run over by trains from 2022 to November 2025 on Tiruchi-Pungudi; Kolatur-Pungudi; Manapparai-Kolatur; Ayyalur-Kalpattichatram and Kalpattichatram-Ayyalur stretches.
Major express trains, including Pandian, Vaigai, Nellai, Pearl City, Kanyakumari, and the two Vande Bharats, run on the Tiruchi-Dindigul broad gauge line. Inter-State trains, including Chennai-Kollam Ananthapuri Express and Chennai-Guruvayur Express besides freight trains, are operated on this section.
Cattle hit not only poses a threat to railway safety but also affects punctuality besides causing financial loss to animal owners. The project is aimed at enhancing safety in rail operations, the sources added.
Published – December 14, 2025 07:42 pm IST
