Kumbakonam residents urge Centre to sanction new rail line between Needamangalam and Vriddhachalam
The new rail line, if built, would give a fillip to economic growth in the hitherto unserved areas and spiritual tourism in the State, they said.
Representations in this regard have been sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw by the Kumbakonam All Traders Association and Thanjavur District Railway Users Association.
'The benefits of a new railway line of less than 100 km between Needamangalam and Vriddhachalam would bring huge economic benefits,' says V. Sathyanarayanan, Secretary, Kumbakonam All Traders Association.
The line could provide connectivity to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, where the famous Brihadisvara Temple built by King Rajendra Chola I is situated. With the Prime Minister scheduled to visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram later this month, it would be apt for the Railway Ministry to announce new rail line now, Mr. Sathyanarayanan said.
Kumbakonam is an important spiritual, commercial, and historic city in Tamil Nadu. It is located in the single line section between Thanjavur and Villupuram on the 147-year-old Main Line section of Southern Railway. The Mahamaham festival, popularly known as the Kumbh of the South, is celebrated here once every 12 years.
The city attracts continuous flow of pilgrims from different parts of the country through the year as it is also the hub for visiting the Navagraha temples. Yet Kumbakonam is neglected in terms of traffic and development as it has not been upgraded as a junction, he regretted.
The demand for this new line had been in existence for over 50 years ago and a question in this regard had been raised even in Parliament in 1955, said A. Giri, secretary, Thanjavur District Railway Users Association. Considering the repeated demand, a preliminary survey was conducted for a new line between Kumbakonam and Vriddachalam in June 2016. The project is awaiting approval ever since, he said.
The new line between Needamangalam and Vriddhachallam via Kumbakonam will provide an alternative shorter route to Salem, Bengaluru, Tirupati and other destinations from Rameswaram and southern Tamil Nadu via Pattukottai and Mannargudi.
It would ensure speedy movement of freight traffic from Karaikal Port and boost spiritual tourism as it would connect places such as Kumbakonam and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. By providing train connectivity to under developed places such as Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Jayamkondam, and Andimadam, it would boost economic growth in the region, Mr. Giri added.
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