Commissioner for Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, Bengaluru K.A. Manoharan began his three-day mandatory inspection of the Karaikudi-Pattukottai section following completion of gauge conversion works.
Accompanied by top railway officers from the Construction Organisation of Southern Railway and Tiruchi Railway Division, Mr. Manoharan launched the inspection travelling on board a motor trolley from Karaikudi.
During his day-long inspection, he inspected the new broad gauge track laid in the nearly 75-km stretch from Karaikkudi to Pattukottai, which has been closed for rail traffic for over five years to enable gauge conversion works.
Railway sources said Mr. Manoharan checked the rails, ballast and formation to ensure the stability of the newly laid track in the portion from Karaikudi to Aranthangi on the first day.
He also inspected the newly constructed bridges, station buildings and level crossing gates en route.
The CRS would inspect the remaining portion from Aranthangi to Pattukottai on Tuesday and Wednesday travelling on a motor trolley.
After completion of motor trolley inspection, the CRS would carry out a speed trial travelling on board a special train hauled by a diesel locomotive from Pattukottai to Karaikudi on March 1.
During the speed trial, which would be done in the evening, the special train is likely to attain a speed of more than 100 kmph, said railway officials.
Only after obtaining clearance from the CRS would the broad gauge section be thrown open to rail traffic. The Karaikudi-Pattukottai stretch is part of the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur-Pattukottai Karaikudi gauge conversion project being executed by the Construction Organisation.
The stretch from Mayiladuthurai to Tiruvarur has already been thrown open to traffic following clearance from the CRS.
The stretch from Tiruvarur to Pattukottai via Tiruthuraipoondi is currently on and is expected to be completed in the coming months.
