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NT Bureau
Villupuram, Apr 9:

        The gauge conversion work on Villupuram - Mayiladuthurai sector would be completed by the end of this year at a total cost of Rs 270 crore and train services would begin from January 2008, assured Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu.

        Rail bridge across the Pennar river at Chendanur near Villupuram would be replaced with a new structure, said Velu after inspecting the work on the old bridge yesterday along with top officials of the Railway Board. He said the work related to gauge conversion had gathered speed along the 122 km rail track from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai. Till now 30 per cent of the work was completed and orders were issued to complete all the related works in three months.

        Also, the broad-gauging of rail track from Villupuram to Thiruvannamalai being taken up a cost of Rs 80 crore would be completed as per schedule. In a phased manner, the electrification of the rail network would be taken up, Velu said. In the first phase, Villupuram - Tiruchi sector, followed by sectors — Tiruchi - Madurai; Madurai — Thoothukudi; and finally Maniyachi - Nagercoil — would be taken up in a sequential manner for rail electrification across districts, Velu explained. Tindivanam MP K Dhanraj, top officials of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd and PMK functionaries, including joint secretary Thanga Jothi and other partymen were present during the press conference.