Ariyalur-Kallakudi Palanganatham double track ready for trains

Ariyalur-Kallakudi Palanganatham double track ready for trains

Signalling system has to be changed for the double line

Ariyalur (ALU):  The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has accorded statutory safety clearance for operation of trains on the newly laid double track between Kallakudi Palanganatham and Ariyalur.

The green signal was given a few days ago by the CRS who inspected the 25-km stretch by travelling on a motor trolley and carrying out high speed trial last month.

The CRS has initially prescribed a speed limit of 80 kmph to start with for operation of trains, officials told.

It could be further raised to 100 kmph. Prior to operation of trains on the newly laid double track, the work of changing the signalling arrangements from the existing single line to double line would be carried out soon.

The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Government of India enterprise, executing the doubling project would carry out the signal changing works on this stretch.

A detailed programme in this regard would be charted out and discussions with Southern Railway officials were on as the work involves line block, an official said.

Cross over connections would be made between the existing line and the double line on this stretch that has four stations – Kallakudi Palanganatham, Kallakudi, Sillakudi, and Ariyalur.

RVNL officials hope to complete the works by this month end. As part of the doubling project, new station buildings have been built at Kallagam and Sillakudi and some additions made to the Ariyalur station.

The platform of Kallakudi Palanganatham station has been extended to accommodate 24 coaches. High-level platforms have been constructed at Kallagam and Sillakudi railway stations.

The Kallakudi Palanganatham – Ariyalur segment has seven major bridges and 31 minor bridges midway.

The RVNL took up track doubling work from Valadi to Ariyalur (50 km) as part of the 270-km Villupuram–Dindigul line doubling project.

The works were carried out simultaneously in two portions – Valadi to Kallakudi Palanganatham (25 km) and from Kallakudi Palanganatham to Ariyalur (25 km).

The Valadi–Ariyalur stretch was chosen for track doubling as it was a crucial segment in the Villupuram–Tiruchi chord line section witnessing heavy congestion at night.

The Valadi–Kallakudi Palanganatham double line was commissioned and thrown open to rail traffic last year.

Officials say congestion would substantially ease on the chord line once the Kallakudi Palanganatham–Ariyalur double line section is thrown open to rail traffic.