Peralam–Karaikal line

Peralam–Karaikal Railway line
Overview
StatusUnder Construction
OwnerFrench East India Company (former)
Indian Railways (present)
LocaleTamil Nadu; Puducherry
Termini
Stations4
Websitewww.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
Service
TypeRegional rail
Heavy rail
Light rail
Services1
Operator(s)Great South Indian Railway (former)
South Indian Railway Company (later)
Southern Railway zone (present)
Depot(s)Golden Rock
Rolling stock0-6-0
History
Planned openingDecember 2024
Opened14 March 1898 (1898-03-14)
Closed1987 (1987)
Technical
Line length23 km (14 mi)
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Old gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
ElectrificationYes
Operating speed50 km/h (31 mph)
Route map

km
to Mayiladuthurai Junction
to Thiruvarur Junction
0
Peralam Junction
Tamil Nadu
Puducherry
8
Ambagarathur
13
Pathakudy
16
Thirunallar
20
Karikovilpathu
23
Karaikal
28
Tirumalairayanpattinam
Puducherry
Tamil Nadu
34
Nagore
39
Vellipalayam
43
Nagapattinam Junction
to Thiruvarur Junction
53
Velankanni
Pappakoil proposed
Sembiya Mahadevi proposed
Palakkurichi proposed
Thirukkuvalai proposed
Ettukudi proposed
to Thiruvarur Junction
85
Tiruturaipundi Junction
to Point Calimere
to Pattukkottai

The Peralam–Karaikal line is a branch line connects Peralam, Tamil Nadu with Karaikal, Puducherry in South India. It is the one and only unconverted railway line in Puducherry union territory and one of the few unconverted railway lines in southern railway zone. This line is one of the cauvery delta railway line which falls under Tiruchirappalli division.

It was one of the 4 unconverted railway lines in south India. The other 3 were the Mayiladuthurai Junction to Tranquebar railway line and Thiruthuraipoondi Junction to Point Calimere Railway line and Bodinayakkanur - Madurai railway line.The Madurai to Bodinayakkanur railway line section via Theni is already converted to broad gauge and electrified.

The three railway lines, Tranquebar railway line, Peralam-Karaikal railway line and Point Calimere railway line were closed during the 1980s due to poor patronage citing unviability. But now they are under consideration for conversion to broad gauge lines.

On the 2020–21 February Indian budget 88 crores were sanctioned for this line out of the total ₹177 crores. And all railway work on this line is planned to be completed by December 2024.