Villupuram Member of Parliament D. Ravikumar has urged the Railway Board to approve the detailed project report (DPR) for the doubling of the Villupuram-Thanjavur section, with some variations.
Mr. Ravikumar placed this demand before the Southern Railway, as a follow-up to the annual meeting of the Southern Railway with Members of Parliament in Trichy on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) to discuss railway-related developmental activities, issues, and passenger amenities.
In a letter addressed to the Southern Railway General Manager, Mr. Ravikumar pointed out that the trains being operated on this section run with high occupancy rate. The occupancy of Villupuram-Cuddalore is 82% and Cuddalore-Mayiladuthurai is 91%, he said.
Stating that the route also witnessed heavy freight movement, providing more revenue to the Railways, he said that priority should be given to the doubling work. The MP also urged the Railway administration to hold consultations with the State government and provide alternate housing for families who had built houses near the Villupuram junction and Valavanur station.
He said that a notice was issued to the residents asking them to vacate the land owned by the Railways, as the administration had leased it to private individuals on a long-term basis. The residents have filed a case and obtained an injunction against the railway administration’s order.
Asking these long-term residents to vacate without providing alternative accommodation is unacceptable. The administration should consult the State government to ensure these families are provided with alternate housing, he said.
Mr. Ravikumar’s letter also contained demands for providing escalator facilities at Villupuram junction; introduction of EMU services at Villupuram; stoppage of Tejas Express at Villupuram; additional coaches for Puducherry to Madras Express; introduction of battery cards at the Tirukoyilur and Uludurpet platforms; passenger amenities at Ulundurpet, Tindivanam, and Tirukoyilur stations; stoppage of Tirupati-Rameswaram Express; priority for local residents in leasing railway property; and revival of special fares for senior citizens and journalists.
Published – April 23, 2025 04:17 pm IST
