Goyal lays stone for Morappur, Dharmapuri rail line

He also announced the extension of Tambaram-Tirunelveli Antyodaya Express train till Nagercoil and flagged off Chennai Egmore – Kollam Daily Express in Chennai through video conference.

In his key note address, Piyush took a dig at the Congress and DMK by calling them as corrupt parties. “Both these parties knew nothing other than indulging in corruption,” he said.

On the air strikes, the Union Minister said, “The opposition parties are trying to politicize the strikes on terror camps by demanding proof. They don’t believe and are questioning the integrity of our armed forces,” he said.

Stating that India will give a fitting reply to terrorists and terrorism, Piyush said, “Our brave soldier A Abhinandan has made all Indians and particularly, the people of Tamil Nadu proud. India is in the safe hands of prime minister. The government’s mission is to provide home, sanitation, electricity and good health to all,” he said.

Stating that ICF has made a mark with its modern trains under Make in India campaign, the Union Minister said the era of importing will soon get over and India would leverage on exporting due to the Make in India concept.

He said that works on the new line between Dharmapuri and Morappur will commence immediately and completed at the earliest. “Also Hosur – Bangalore section doubling cum electrification will be done and connected to Salem through Dharmapuri. The Chennai-Palakkad Super-Fast Express train will be stopped at Morappur considering the request of people in Dharmapuri,” he said.

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss termed the Dharmapuri – Morappur new railway line to be a historic project restored after 78 years. “The project would benefit Dharmapuri district by boosting its development both economically and socially,” he said.

Minister for Higher Education K P Anbalagan, Electricity Minister P Thangamani, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, Southern Railway General Manager RK Kulshresha, South Western Railway General Manager AK Singh and other officials took part in the function.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Railways and Coal Piyush Goyal on Monday inaugurated a coal based thermal power project of NLC Tamil Nadu Power Limited (NTPL) and 150 MW solar power projects of Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited (NLCIL) in Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts at a programme held in Thoothukudi.

After lauding the efforts of the NTPL employees, who cater to basic electricity needs, the minister announced a cash assistance of Rs 8,000 to all the employees and Rs 3,000 to each of contract workers.