Manamadurai–Rameswaram branch line

The Manamadurai–Rameswaram branch line is a branch railway line in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The line starts at Manamadurai and ends at Rameswaram.

Manamadurai–Rameswaram branch line
Train Passing on Pamban bridge lies on Manamadurai–Rameswaram branch line
Overview
StatusOperating
OwnerIndian Railways
Termini
Websitewww.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
Service
TypeExpress train
Passenger train
Operator(s)Southern Railway zone
Technical
Line length161 km (100 mi)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Old gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
Loading gauge4,725 mm × 3,660 mm (15 ft 6.0 in × 12 ft 0.1 in) (BG)[1]
ElectrificationOngoing
Operating speed50 km/h (31 mph)80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map

km
Up arrow
0
Madurai Junction
Left arrow
LowerLeft arrow
Tirupparankuram overpass
4
Madurai East
Silaiman Bypass
12
Silaiman
Silaiman Bypass
Tiruppuvanam Bypass
21
Tiruppuvanam
Tiruppuvanam Bypass
32
Tiruppachetti
41
Rajagambiram
Right arrow
48
Manamadurai Junction
Left arrow
58
Sudiyur
72
Paramakudi
Paramakudi Canal
92
Sattirakudi
107
Ramanathapuram
116
Valantaravai
127
Uchippuli
131
Pirappanvalasai
Pillaimadam
141
Mandapam Camp
144
Mandapam
Pamban Bridge
over Palk Strait
arrow for d
Rameswaram Island
 
151
Pamban Junction
168
Towards Dhanushkodi Terminal Branch out of service
Left arrow to Dhanushkodi (
under
construction
)
161
Rameswaram
Line end

History

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The Madras Railway laid the metre gauge lines viz. ManamaduraiMandapam line in 1902, Mandapam–Pamban line in 1914, Pamban–Rameswaram line in 1906 and Pamban–Dhanushkodi line in 1908.[2]

During 1964 Rameshwaram Cyclone, the Pamban–Dhanushkodi section was completely damaged and was dismantled afterwards and was never rebuilt by Indian railways. This is because of the declarement of dhanushkodi as 'The Ghost Town' by madras(chennai) government.

The Madurai–Manamadurai–Rameshwaram section was entirely converted to broad gauge in 2006.[2]

Future

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There are plans to build a rail-cum-road bridge or tunnel from India to Sri Lanka. It would be built via Rameshwaram or Dhanushkodi.[3][4]

Funds has been allocated for the reconstruction of Dhanushkodi Railway Line.[5]

References

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  1. ^ J S Mundrey (2010). Railway Track Engineering (Fourth ed.). New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-07-068012-8. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Southern Railways - Madurai railway division" (PDF). Southern Railways, India. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  3. ^ "Explained: A new line". The Indian Express. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Mythic link to Lanka may become a reality". www.mydigitalfc.com. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  5. ^ "New railway projects in Tamil Nadu ignored: MP". The Hindu. 3 February 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
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