Odishatv Bureau
Nagapattinam: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mani Shankar Aiyar has requested the new Railways Minister Mukul Roy to revive the rail link between Mayiladuthurai and Tarangambadi in Nagapattinam district.

In a representation to the Minister, Aiyar pointed out that Tarangambadi, which was a Danish colony from the 16th century onwards, was a major tourist attraction.

Tarangambadi was earlier linked to Mayiladuthurai junction by a meter gauge line which had been dismantled. If a broad gauge line was laid in place of the earlier line, it would not only help connectivity within the area but also enable Southern Railways to consider the possibility of linking Tarangambadi to Karaikal, he said.

In the process, the two major minority shrines of Velankanni of the Christians and Nagor Sharif for Muslims would also be linked with the numerous Hindu shrines in the area besides other places of pilgrimage located in the adjoining districts of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, he said.

Among other demands, Aiyar also urged the Minister to revive the Kumbakonam-Mayiladuthurai-Chennai passenger, which was running during daytime in the meter gauge era.

A train service was required to connect Nagore with Bangalore via Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram, Cuddalore and Vriddachalam. This service used to exist earlier but was terminated when broad gauging was being undertaken, he said in the representation,copy of which was made available here today.

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