Summary:
Chennai, May 26 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone for five station redevelopment projects and a gauge conversion work worth about Rs 2,907 crore in Tamil Nadu which would not only provide passengers airport-like amenities, but bring in socio-economic benefits for the region.
Station redevelopment is a flagship project of Indian Railways to upgrade railway stations at par with world-class standards.
"History has taught us that those nations which gave topmost importance to infrastructure made the transition from developing to developed countries.
The Government of India is fully focussed on building infrastructure that is top quality and sustainable," Modi said while launching Rs 31,500 crore worth infrastructure projects in the state.
Keeping abreast of times, the modern commuter who visits these revamped stations will benefit from augmented convenience, airport-like feel and pleasing ambience coupled with novel amenities and facilities.
Southern Railway has taken up the redevelopment of five major stations at Chennai Egmore, Katpadi, Madurai, Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari at a cost of Rs 1,803 crore.
All these stations will sport ugraded passenger amenities, aesthetically designed interiors, improved ambience, beautiful landscaping in the frontage, inter-model access, airport-like illumination and parking facilities.
"I am particularly happy that five railway stations are being redeveloped.
This modernisation and development is being done keeping in mind the needs of the future.
At the same time, it will merge with local art and culture," Modi said.
The prime minister also inaugurated the Madurai-Teni (75 km) gauge conversion work which has been completed, inspected and authorised for passenger services by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle.
The section is ready for introduction of passenger train services shortly.
This section is part of the gauge conversion project of Madurai–Bodinayakkanur Section (90 kms) which was closed for gauge conversion in the year 2011.
The work for the remaining section Teni–Bodinayakkanur (15 kms) is in progress.
The anticipated cost of Madurai–Teni gauge conversion project is Rs 506 crore.
Modi also flagged off the inaugural passenger train service between Madurai–Teni section which will have intermediate stations at Vadapalanji (Halt), Usilampatti and Andipatti.