A view of Pattukottai railway station.
The Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Southern Railway, and the Electrical Inspector to Government of India, has issued authorisation for introduction of AC electric traction on Pattukottai – Karaikudi broad gauge section under Tiruchi Railway Division.
This has paved the way for operation of express and freight trains hauled by electric locomotives on the section, which covers parts of Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Sivaganga districts.
The statutory clearance from the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer has come following his mandatory inspection of the Pattukottai – Aranthangi – Karaikudi BG section on September 9 following completion of the overhead electrification project on the stretch.
As part of his day-long inspection, the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer conducted a speed trial travelling on board an Inspection Special from Pattukottai to Karaikudi accompanied by senior officials of Tiruchi Railway Division and Southern Railway Construction Organisation.
The Southern Railway Construction Organisation executed the overhead electrification project on the stretch at an estimated cost of over ₹80 crore. The Pattukottai – Karaikudi section was the last BG stretch not only in Tiruchi Railway Division but also in Southern Railway zone to get electrified. With the completion of the project, the Southern Railway zone has achieved 100% electrification of its entire broad gauge network, marking a major milestone.
Railway officials said the authorisation from the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer came after his mandatory inspection of the Pattukottai – Karaikudi electrified section. At present, express trains operated on the section are hauled by diesel locomotives. With the completion of the overhead electrification project and the authorisation from the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, the stage is now set for the operation of electric loco-hauled passenger and freight trains.
Electrification of the section would no longer require loco change enroute, they added.
An official said the connstruction of traction substations at Thiruthuraipoondi and Pattukottai as part of the overhead electrification project had been completed and was awaiting supply of power from Tangedco. Traction substations are already functioning at Tiruvarur and Karaikudi.
Published – September 30, 2026 07:24 pm IST
