1.
The APK-TN line was a part of the MDU-APK-TN line conceived when doubling works did not commence on the MDU-VPT-MEJ section and they had planned for an industrial corridor along the route.
The...
more... MDU-APK section (branching off at TDN) almost runs parallel to the now fully doubled MDU VPT line.
My other grouse with the APK-TN line is it has been planned from the Eastern side of APK which would require a bypass line for cargo you can send to Karaikal and loco reversal for passenger trains at APK.
Direct Tuticorin-Manamadurai link would give almost a dedicated freight corridor to TN port from KIK port (VOC Port at Tuticorin is primarily meant for cargo from the West and Karaikal port caters to the Eastern shipping lanes).
2.
I've mentioned routes like these mostly because it helps put more new towns on the railway map while covering similar if not less distance than CGL-TMV-TNM (which would give relief only for Chennai-Tiruvanammalai travellers but at the expense of further congesting the MS-VM line and making Tindivanam another bottleneck)
3.
Chinasalem-Kallakurichi line being constructed if extended to Tiruvannamalai would be useful to some extent as it helps with Salem connection for Tiruvannamalai. (The loco reversal at VRI is a bit of a bottleneck currently to connect the KPD-VM and SA-VRI lines)
SR could simply club a few passenger trains in the KPD-VM, VM-VRI and VRI-SA sections but would not.
4.
I have no issues with a Perambalur-Namakkal-Erode line but apart from dedicated passenger trains running on this route, hard to see trains from outside use this (like MS-MAQ Exp) which would anyway go via Trichy, it would be better to go for doubling the existing TPJ-ED line.
Ariyalur-Permabalur-Attur line cuts short the distance between Trichy and Salem via Vridachalam and would open an alternate route to TPJ-KRR-SA (for long-distance trains travelling beyond Salem).
5.
Yes, this one and Chengalpattu-Mamallapuram, I did mean for them to be a part of the suburban network.
If executed in time, they can replicate a northern triangular corridor similar to MSB-CGL-AJJ-MSB.
Mamallapuram station as a suburban terminal would also help decongest CGL to a great extent.
please wait...Translate to English1. Ayyo, this APK-TN line was like a part of the MDU-APK-TN line idea when they didn't start doing the double works on the MDU-VPT-MEJ section and were planning to have an industrial corridor along the way.
The MDU-APK section (peeling off at TDN) kinda runs almost parallel to the now fully doubled MDU VPT line.
One thing that bugs me about the APK-TN line is, it's coming from the Eastern side of APK which would need like a bypass line for cargo to go to Karaikal and the trains have to reverse at APK for passengers.
A direct route from Tuticorin to Manamadurai would almost create a separate lane just for freight up to TN port from KIK port (VOC Port at Tuticorin is mainly for stuff from the West and Karaikal port handles ships from the East).
2.
I brought up routes like these mostly cause it helps to add more new towns on the railway map without even covering more distance than CGL-TMV-TNM (which would only help Chennai-Tiruvanammalai travelers but would mess up the MS-VM line more and cause Tindivanam to be a mess)
3.
The Chinasalem-Kallakurichi line being built, if stretched to Tiruvannamalai, would be somewhat helpful as it gives a Salem connection for Tiruvannamalai. (The loco turnaround at VRI is a bit jammed up now for the KPD-VM and SA-VRI lines)
SR could just combine a few passenger trains in the KPD-VM, VM-VRI and VRI-SA parts but nah, they won't.
4.
I have no problem with a Perambalur-Namakkal-Erode line but besides having special passenger trains on this way, hard to see outside trains use this (like MS-MAQ Exp) which would obviously go via Trichy, better to just double the TPJ-ED line already there.
Ariyalur-Perambalur-Attur line shortens the distance between Trichy and Salem through Vridachalam and would give an alternative route to TPJ-KRR-SA (for long trains going beyond Salem).
5.
Yeah, this one and Chengalpattu-Mamallapuram, I meant for them to be part of the city network.
If done quick, they can make like a cool triangle up north like MSB-CGL-AJJ-MSB.
Mamallapuram station as a city terminal would also really help clear out the mess in CGL.
