Title - Track fit for operating trains between Palani and Dindigul

The track between Palani and Dindigul, newly converted as a broad gauge line, is fit for operating trains, said Commissioner for Railway Safety S.K. Mittal.Talking to press persons after conducting speed trial in this section at Dindigul Railway Station here on Wednesday, he said that the two-day inspection was over. The speed trial was successful. The track was fit for operating trains. “We had checked tracks, signal system, bridges, stations and every point on the 53-km-long stretch between the temple town and Dindigul. The report will be submitted to the board for further action.”Divisional Railway Manager Rastogi said that total distance was covered in 38 minutes. To a question, he said that the date for operating the passenger train in Dindigul and Palani section will be announced shortly.Sources said that the railway team had already conducted trials using diesel loco engine recently before the speed trial. The Southern Railway will operate passenger trains directly as there was no goods traffic in this stretch. The special inspection train comprising an engine and three compartments ran at a speed of about 110 km per hour covering a distance of 58 km in just 38 minutes. The special inspection train left the Palani Railway station at 4.38 p.m. and reached Dindigul at 5.16 p.m.

The total cost of the project was Rs.260 crore. The traffic was closed in 2009.

The commissioner had travelled in a trolley and checked the track up to Oddanchatram on Tuesday and the stretch between Oddanchatram and Palani, this morning.

On Palani-Pollachi gauge conversion work, Divisional Railway Manager Rastogi said the project was in progress. After completion of the work, trial run will be taken up in the next phase, he added.