We are managing with most of the infra structure left behind by the Britishers, be it the road transport, the railways, the waterways, dams or postal services. Nothing substantial has been added by us in the sixty-two years of freedom.

Take for example, the Railways. Excepting extending a few lines here and there, we haven't done much. The Gateway of South India is not fully open. It’s just ajar! Most of the present and former metre gauge lines in the South are even today a neglected lot. This has resulted in unmanageable passenger traffic in most of the trains leaving Chennai Egmore. Chengalpattu-Kanyakumari has only a single line. Thus, this route gets choked even by the existing traffic. The gauge conversion (from metre to broad) work between Chengalpattu and Villupuram is moving at snail's pace.

The story of the Villupuram-Dindigul section is even worse. Because of non-allocation of required funds, work in this section may take a decade or even more.

There used to be a Main line and a Chord line from Egmore to the southern parts. The only hope for the Main line passengers is the gauge conversion between Villupuram and Mayiladuthurai. It is hoped that this line will be through by January next. If this materialises, connection to the southern districts through Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli will become easier. Even then the Tiruchi-Dindigul section will be a hurdle since there is only a single track there.

Similarly, Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur-Karaikkudi is an important segment that is neglected now. The 39km gauge conversion between Mayiladuthurai and Thiruvarur at a cost of Rs 60 Crores is almost at a standstill. Allocation of funds is the main problem.

Since independence, successive Railway Ministers have not been bestowing adequate attention on expansion in the South. Their vote banks are in the North and South is being totally neglected. I feel it is the duty of our Ministers and MPs from Tamil Nadu to pursue our case vigourously at the Rail Bhavan.