Pattukottai railway station work in full swing.
Work on the construction of the new railway station at Pattukottai has been in full swing and the work is expected to be completed within three months.
While the frontal building of the old station has been in tact, the old platform together with its track had been totally demolished and a new one built in its place. This is one of the important segments on the Pattukottai - Karaikudi line which accounts for a length of 72 km and Pattukottai to Tiruvarur with a length...
more... of 77 km. The stretch is being upgraded from the meter gauge to the broad gauge.
This is one of the much-felt need of the train commuters. The last train was operated through this track about five years ago. Although a tall promise was made for its expeditious completion, the work was delayed due to delay in sanctioning funds.
With the sanctioning of the funds, the work resumed last year.
The station at Pudukottai would have three platforms, besides one for the goods vehicle. The railway officials say that the local residents have been evincing keen interest in the speedy execution of the project.
�Daily in the evening, a team of local residents keep visiting the station and ascertaining the progress. In fact, they appear to be more delighted,� says an official.
According to official sources, non-availability of earth for filling low-level areas in and around the platform and track zone has been posing a serious concern.
However, the cooperation from the villagers has been encouraging. Most farmers have been spontaneously permitting the clearing of the earth wherever available.
However, sources feel that the special permission from the State government to take the earth for filling the deep pits in and around the new site areas would help expedite the execution of the project.
�The work on construction of the railway station at Pattukottai would have been completed at least three months earlier, had earth been available to us,� the source said.
However, they appreciated the cooperation of the local villagers who have realised the importance of railway transport.
They have been using the MG trains for decades and their cooperation indicates the need for speedy execution of the project, say the sources.