The Pattukottai -Karaikudi stretch via Aranthangi, covering parts of Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Sivaganga districts, is the last BG section in Tiruchi Railway Division’s jurisdiction where overhead electrification (OHE) project has been completed. A trial run of an electric locomotive was conducted recently.
Following completion of the OHE project, the statutory inspection on the Pattukottai - Karaikudi electrified section was conducted by the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Southern Railway and the Electrical Inspector to the Government (EIG) on Wednesday for introduction of election traction.
Accompanied by the Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, Chief Engineer, Southern Railway Construction Organisation, and other officers, the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer Ganesh commenced his day-long inspection from the Karaikudi railway junction in the morning travelling on board an Inspection Special up to Pattukottai station.
Mr. Ganesh meticulously examined the masts, support structures, masts in bridges, sectioning posts and level crossing gates besides inspecting a couple of stations along the route. The special train stopped at various points for the inspection. Mr. Ganesh also inspected the height gauges installed at both ends of the level crossing gates and the caution boards installed for public awareness.
Later, the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer conducted a speed trial travelling on board the Inspection Special from Pattukottai to Karaikudi in the evening. The speed trial started at around 4.30 p.m. from Pattukottai station and concluded at Karaikudi at 5.25 p.m. It was conducted at a speed of 100 kilometre per hour successfully, a senior railway officer said.
Only after obtaining statutory clearance from the Principal Chief Electrical Engineer can express, passenger and freight trains be hauled with electrical locomotives on this stretch. At present, the trains are hauled by diesel locomotives. The official said with the completion of the OHE project in the last stretch between Pattukottai and Karaikudi, the Tiruchi Railway Division has achieved 100 % electrification which is a milestone.
The Southern Railway Construction Organisation was entrusted with the task of executing the OHE project on the nearly 150-km Tiruvarur - Thiruthuraipoondi - Pattukottai - Aranthangi - Karaikudi BG section falling under the Tiruchi Division. The project was accomplished in phases with the stretch from Tiruvarur to Pattukottai via Thiruthuraipoondi completed at first followed by Pattukottai to Karaikudi. Two traction substations are being established as part of the project one at Thiruthuraipoondi and the other at Pattukottai.