Manamadurai-Karaikudi railway line in TN electrified

The 61-km Karaikudi-Manamadurai railway section in Tamil Nadu will soon be electrified with 25 KW of power, as the electrification works were completed recently. Southern Railway's principal chief electrical engineer A K Siddhartha inspected the line last week. Travelling in a diesel locomotive-hauled inspection train, Siddhartha checked the power line under Sivagangai road flyover, electric posts on the Manimutharu bridge, and other key points, including electrification on curves of the stretch. Siddhartha interacted with trackmen and assessed their knowledge on safety rules on this electrified route. He also ensured the availability of caution boards at railway stations and public utility areas, warning people not to touch or approach high-voltage lines. A speed trial run was also held. The train left Manamadurai at 2.20 p.m. and reached Karaikudi at 3.10 p.m. After the trial run, Siddhartha said the electric traction will commence in the section in 10 days. With this, another milestone towards zero emission in Madurai railway division has been achieved. See also: NF Railway track, bridge renewal drive picks up speedRailways to rent out decommissioned coaches to running restaurants