SRIPERUMBUDUR: The Union Minister of State for Railways, KH Muniyappa, has requested the Tamil Nadu government to sanction 50 percent of the total cost for the proposed Avadi-Guduvancheri rail link soon.The minister, who arrived at Rajiv Gandhi Memorial here to flag-off the Rajiv Jyothi Sadbahavana Yatra on Tuesday, said, “The railway ministry is keen on this project, as this rail link will propel industrial and economic development.”The proposed 55-kilometre railway line, which connects Avadi and Guduvancheri via Sriperumbudur and Oragadam, is estimated to cost about `810 crore. “The Ministry of Railways has sent the project file to the state government for its consideration. I hope the state government would soon give its assent to bear 50 percent of the project cost,” he said. The proposed railway line will connect developing industrial hubs and would benefit several people. According to railways sources, the project file was sent to the state government three months ago. It would take months to implement even after the state government consent, as they would be required to go through a huge and cumbersome process of land acquisition, sources added.Explaining about the railways safety plan, the minister said by 2015, railway personnel will be deployed at all unmanned level crossings. “Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi is conducting a research to develop a new technology to identify animals crossing the railway lines. It is a tower like structure that will send signals when animals cross the lines. The new technology is under development,” he added.The minister lit the Jyothi and all Congressmen present on the occasion took a pledge at the memorial to fight against terrorism and to safeguard national integrity. The Jyothi will reach New Delhi on Rajiv Gandhi’s birthday (August 20) and will be handed over to Rahul Gandhi. The Jyothi will travel through Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. KV Thangabalu, President, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, SS Prakasam, organiser of the yatra were present at the event.
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