Railway Land Acquisition Delays Stall Key Projects Across Tamil Nadu
Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted significant challenges in land acquisition for railway infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu during a video conference with Southern Railway officials on Monday. The minister revealed that only 24% of the required 4,346 hectares of land for various railway projects across the state has been acquired so far by the state government.
Critical Projects Stalled Due to Land Deficit
Vaishnaw emphasized that this substantial land acquisition deficit has stalled numerous crucial railway projects throughout Tamil Nadu. One prominent example he cited was the Thanjavur–Pudukottai railway line, for which absolutely no land has been acquired to date. The minister earnestly requested enhanced cooperation from the state government to expedite the acquisition of the remaining 76% of land required to move these vital infrastructure initiatives forward.
Massive Financial Allocations for Railway Development
Despite these challenges, the Union Minister announced substantial financial commitments to Tamil Nadu's railway sector. He declared that a remarkable 7,600 crore has been allocated for railway projects in Tamil Nadu for the financial year 2026-27. This allocation represents a nine-fold increase compared to funding provided by previous administrations, signaling the central government's strong commitment to the state's rail infrastructure modernization.
Furthermore, Vaishnaw detailed that 35,700 crore has been dedicated to ongoing railway projects within Tamil Nadu. These projects include the ambitious Amrit Bharat scheme, under which 77 railway stations across the state are being comprehensively upgraded to modern standards with enhanced passenger amenities and improved infrastructure.
Madurai Division's Station Renovation Progress
Madurai Divisional Railway Manager, Om Prakash Meena, provided specific updates regarding station renovations within his jurisdiction. Of the 77 stations being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat scheme, the Madurai division is responsible for renovating 17 stations. Meena reported that four stations—Virudhunagar, Palani, Karaikudi, and Ambasamudram—have already been completed.
"Five more stations will be completed by the end of February, and the remaining stations will be finished by the end of this year," Meena stated. "Our primary focus remains on providing superior amenities to passengers and substantially improving the overall infrastructure of these stations."
Project Challenges and Infrastructure Developments
The DRM also addressed specific project challenges, noting that the state government has recommended rejecting the proposed Rameswaram–Dhanushkodi railway line due to difficulties in acquiring necessary forest land. This highlights the complex environmental and regulatory hurdles facing railway expansion in certain regions.
On a positive note, Meena shared that construction of numerous limited-use subways and manned line crossings is actively underway across the division. "As many as 249 new limited-use subways were proposed at various locations, and 23 have already been sanctioned for implementation," he explained.
Future Projects and Speed Enhancements
Looking ahead, feasibility surveys for the Madurai–Manamadurai doubling project are progressing steadily. Work on this significant project will commence once the survey is completed by the end of December. Meena highlighted an important benefit of this project: "Once the work is completed, the speed limit for trains on that stretch will be increased to 130 kilometers per hour from the current 110 kilometers per hour," promising faster and more efficient rail travel for passengers.
The comprehensive updates from both Union Minister Vaishnaw and DRM Meena underscore both the substantial progress and persistent challenges in Tamil Nadu's railway development, with land acquisition emerging as a critical bottleneck requiring immediate resolution through enhanced state-central cooperation.
