Preliminary works for the installation of metal fencing and construction of boundary wall at selected locations along the busy Tiruchi - Dindigul broad gauge section have commenced.

The move comes after the Southern Railway fixed the agency and awarded the contract for execution of metal fencing and boundary wall works along the over 90-kilometre electrified stretch.

The decision to install metal fencing and construct boundary wall comes amid instances of cattle run over by trains and human trespass and to prevent such incidents.

The Tiruchi - Dindigul - Madurai BG section falls under the limits of the Madurai Railway Division and is an important route connecting various important destinations in the southern districts.

A railway official said fencing and boundary wall construction works are to be carried out between Tiruchi and Ayyalur via Manapparai in the first phase for which the preliminary works such as cleaning of sites have commenced.

The railway administration had identified vulnerable locations along the Tiruchi - Dindigul BG section for executing the works.

The official said W-beam type metal fencing is to be installed at chosen locations along the busy stretch. The boundary wall is to be constructed with prestressed precast panel, precast column and precast RCC foundation. The works are to be carried out for a total length of 120 km in the upline and downline sections, the official said, adding that the project is expected to be completed by March next year. Plans are afoot to execute the fencing works from Ayyalur to Kodai Road and from Kodai Road to Madurai Junction in the subsequent phases.

The main objective behind implementation of this project was to improve safety and prevent incidents of cattle being run over by trains affecting punctuality. Instances of cattle being run over have been reported in the past between Tiruchi - Pungudi, Manapparai - Kolatur and Ayyalur - Kalpatticharam stretches in the past.

The Tiruchi - Dindigul - Madurai electrified section witnesses daily movement of several express and superfast trains towards key destinations in the south and towards Chennai making it one of the busy routes in the Southern Railway zone.