'Chennai-Karaikal rail project to be implemented soon'

The East Coast Rail project connecting Chennai and Karaikal via Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai will be implemented soon, Union Minister V Narayanasamy today said.
Flagging off the Karaikal-Mumbai weekly train service at the railway station here, Narayanasamy said the survey for the project had been completed and land acquisition started.
Stating that Karaikal will soon get many other direct train services, Narayanasamy said he had appealed to the Railway Ministry to introduce direct train services between Karaikal-New Delhi, Karaikal-Kanyakumari and Karaikal-Kollam. In addition, the Velankanni-Vasco-da-gama Express will soon be extended up to Karaikal, he said.
Narayanasamy said the Railway Ministry had allocated Rs 120 crore for carrying out the new broad gauge line work between Karaikal and Peralam. This 22-km railway line will enable Tirunallar, abode of Lord Saneeswara (Saturn) to get direct train connectivity, which will prove to be a boon for pilgrims visiting the town everyday.

Referring to power production from Kudankulam Nuclear Plant, the Minister said Puducherry had been allocated 67 MW and he would appeal to the Prime Minister for separate allocation for Karaikal within that.
Narayanasamy also said ONGC had come forward to set up a super-speciality hospital at Karaikal in collaboration with JIPMER, Puducherry. "Foundation stone laying ceremony for this project will be held soon," he said.