Title - : Railway panel to ensure safety of pilgrims visiting Velankanni for fete

The Standing Committee on Railways seeks to place a set of recommendations for ensuring the safety of pilgrims arriving for the Velankanni festival, according to T.R. Baalu, chairperson of the committee.

He told reporters here on Tuesday that the committee would meet on Friday to discuss safety measures in the wake of the fire tragedy in the Tamil Nadu Express.

The six-member team inspected safety provisions at the Velankanni station, prior to the festival slated for August.

Rail link project

On the Thirukuvalai-Nagapattinam-Thiruthuraipoondi rail link project, Mr. Balu said that land acquisition was under progress.

“I am in constant touch with the Collectors of both districts.” The State government should cooperate with the authorities concerned on acquisition of land to expedite the project.

Mr. Balu took strong exception to a question whether the Pattukottai-Karaikudi BG conversion was being taken up at the expense of the Tiruvarur-Thiruthuraipoondi line.

The Tiruvarur-Thiruthuraipoondi line was slated for BG conversion on completion of the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur stretch.

However, BG conversion has been initiated from south along 77-km Pattukottai-Karaikudi stretch to the discontent of rail interest groups. Rail lobbies alleged that the project was at the expense of 27-km Tiruvarur-Thiruthuraipoondi line, which already had land at its disposal for BG conversion.

Mr. Balu said that the media ought to get “facts right”; land acquisition was under progress for BG conversion of the Tiruvarur-Thiruthuraipoondi line.

A review meeting was held with Southern Railways officials at Velankanni.