Chennai, Feb 5 (IANS) The Central government has approved the Dharmapuri-Morappur railway line, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said on Tuesday.

In a statement here, Ramadoss, representing the Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency, said: "The Ministry of Railways has given its approval for the 36-km rail line between Dharmapuri and Morappur. Construction work will start soon."

The sanction comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and when both the BJP and AIADMK want the PMK as electoral allies.

Ramadoss said that with the proposed line, Dharmapuri will be linked to Chennai.

He said the Tamil Nadu government refused to implement the project on joint venture or to share 50 per cent of the project cost.

According to Ramadoss, during British rule, trains operated on this route on narrow gauge.

--IANS vj/mr