Inordinate delay in Irugur line doubling criticised
Diverted
In addition, a number of important trains on the Kerala – Chennai sector were being diverted at Irugur to Podanur and vice-verca thus skipping the Coimbatore Junction.The doubling of track for 16.6 km between Irugur and Coimbatore North was actually approved and included in the budget in 1996 with an estimated cost of Rs. 37.94 crore and the cost was revised.During August 2006, the Railways had announced that nearly 75 per cent of the work was completed and promised to complete the work by March 2008.
After March 2008, the consumer body was informed that the work would be completed before August 2009. Now the Railway has undertaken the construction of bridge works, which will take a few more months.The State Government had almost completed the acquisition formalities in respect of 36 cents at Ganapathy.But still, the 1.07 acres to be acquired between Irugur and Peelamedu would take a long time.
Originally, the area was under Palladam taluk (now Tirupur district) under the jurisdiction of Revenue Divisional Officer, Tirupur. Now the area had come under the jurisdiction of Sulur taluk, i.e. RDO, Coimbatore. Based on Railways request in February 2009, the RDO, Coimbatore, had sent the proposal to the government for administrative sanction.But lot of formalities had to be completed for the purpose and it may likely take a minimum period of another 18 months.
Only after that, the Railways could carry out the remaining work.Further, the shifting of a temple on the platform of Peelamedu Railway Station remains to be sorted out.Even though the original estimate was Rs.37.94 crore, nearly Rs. 53.39 crore was spent so far out of the Rs.55 crore allotted.But still, the work could not be completed.
