Important Railway Projects for Tamilnadu
Important Railway Projects, that may have given economic boost to Tamilnadu,have not been envisaged properly by the erstwhile Governments that ruled India. Connectivity is a major factor for the economic well being of a place. Because of better railway connectivity Maharastra state and expecially Mumbai, is able to grow fast. Some of the important railway projects, especially rail connectivity for Tamilnadu, is discussed here:
[1] The industrial growth in southern districts of Tamilnadu is battered by the non availability of proper rail link. The entire southern strech from Kanyakumari to Chennai has to be double lined and electrification must be done.
[2] East coast link between Kanyakumari and Chennai via Valliyur, Radhapuram, Kudankulam, Udangudi, Tiruchendur, Thuthukudi, Sayalkudi, Ramanathapuram, Pattukottai,(Vellankannai) Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Marakkanam, Mahabalipuram and Thiruvanmiyur.
[3] Theni is the only district in Tamilnadu which is not having direct rail link with Chennai. Gudalur-Cumbum-Uthamapalayam-Theni-[Bodinayakanur] -Periyakulam-Batalagund-Dindigual-Trichy-Villupuram-Chennai route has to be laid. During early 1960's the project has been initiated and Government even had started acquiring land for Railways. Later for no reasons the Project was dropped. This railway link will be a boon for
•Tourist coming to see Munnar, Periyar wild life Sanctuary, Silent Valley, and Kodaikanal
•The Cardomom business will flourish in Bodinayakanur, Cumbum and Uthamapalayam
•Cotton mills and more engineering industries will come in and around Theni and Periyakulam area
[4] Conversion of existing Maduri-Bodinayakanur narrow gauge into Broad gauge and extension of Pandian and/ or Vaigai Express to run between Bodinayakanur-Theni-Madurai-Chennai.
[5] A direct rail link between Madurai and Trichy via Melur-Thuvarankurichi-Viralimali and Trichy which will ease the traffic congestion in Trichy-Dindugul-Madurai sector. Most of the south bound trains from Chennai will by pass Dindugul.
[6] Linking Manamadurai and Virudunagar and allowing south bound trains from Chennai to by-pass Madurai
[7] A direct, NEW, rail link connecting Thuthukudi with Kollam / Kochi (East-West corrider).This will enable Thuthukudi to become a RAILWAY JUNCTION'. Thuthukudi-Pudukottai-Vagaikulam {aerodrome}-Vallanadu-Palayamkottai-Nellai-Tenkasi-Kollam. However, SR is under taking BG conversion between Tirunelveli-Kollam route.
1.Train to run between Cuddalore and Coimbatore via Virudachalam-ulunthurpettai,Kallakurichi, and Salem
2.Train to run between Tambaram and Kalyan via Chengelpet , Mangalore and Kongan railway.
3.Another Super Fast day express to run between Nagercoil and Chennai or Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai.
4.Super Fast express to run between Thuthukudi-Coimbatore-Bengaluru and extended beyoun unto Mumbai.
5.Passenger train between Rameswaram and West Indian destinations via Coimbatore
6.Express train to link Varanasi or North Indian pilgrimage destinations with Rameswaram
7.Express Train to run between Karaikudi-Trichy-Karur-Coimbatore-Benagluru.
[8] A new connectivity between Thanjavur and Ariyalur which will enable Thanjavur to have a more or less direct rail link with Chennai.
[9] Introduction of MRTS facility in Madurai and Coimbatore.
source