Cabinet clears Rs.6,500 cr rail lines

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has cleared the doubling of lines with electrification between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari, Madurai-Vanchi and Maniyachchi-Tuticorin, and between Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli. All three projects, which are likely to be completed in by 2020-21, are expected to cost Rs.6,500 crore with 5 percent escalation per annum. The total length of the line between Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu is 86.56 km. The government estimates the cost of the project will be Rs.1,431.90 crore and completion The Vanchi-Maniyachchi-Nagercoil via Tirunelveli will be 102 km. The government estimates cost of the project to be Rs.1,003.94 crore and completion cost of Rs.1,114.62 crore with 5 percent escalation per annum. The Madurai-Vanchi and Maniyachchi-Tuticorin will be of 160 km. The estimated cost will be Rs.1,182.31 crore and completion cost of Rs.1,272.51 crore with 5 percent escalation per annum, according to government estimates.