Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Appeals to Prime Minister for Railway Project Acceleration
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has formally addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter dispatched on Sunday, calling for immediate action to accelerate sanctioned railway projects across the state. The appeal centers on the urgent need for the Ministry of Railways to disburse required funds and revive projects that have been placed on hold, highlighting critical delays impacting infrastructure development.
Funding Delays Hinder Progress and Create Uncertainty
In his communication, Stalin emphasized that the advancement of numerous essential railway projects is being severely impeded by delays in fund releases from the Ministry of Railways. He criticized the prevalent practice of providing partial funding for individual projects, which exacerbates bottlenecks. An official release noted that while the state government has granted administrative approval for acquiring 2,500.61 hectares of land to support various federal railway initiatives, the Railway Department has failed to allocate funds for 931.52 hectares of this land.
The delays in releasing funds and the piecemeal allocation have hindered the progress of railway projects in Tamil Nadu, Stalin stated, adding that this situation has fostered a state of prolonged uncertainty for affected landowners, who await compensation and resolution.
Land Acquisition Nearly Complete, but Financial Gaps Persist
Stalin pointed out that land acquisition is 94 per cent complete for 19 major projects, with 1,198.02 hectares already transferred to the Railways. However, specific cases illustrate the financial shortfalls. For instance, the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari Broad Gauge Doubling project remains stalled, as 16.86 hectares of land acquisition cannot proceed without the Railways releasing Rs 289.78 crore for compensation. The Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to ensure that funds for all sanctioned projects are released in full and on a priority basis to enable smooth land acquisition processes.
Call to Revive Stalled Projects and Enhance Allocations
Beyond immediate funding, Stalin requested the reconsideration and restarting of key projects currently in abeyance. These include the Thoothukudi-Madurai (via Aruppukottai) and the Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai broad gauge lines, which are vital for regional connectivity and economic growth. Emphasizing Tamil Nadu's role as India's second-largest economy, Stalin expressed concern over the relatively low allocation for new railway projects in the state in recent years. He advocated for additional projects that align with the state's economic stature and developmental needs, calling for a more proportionate investment in infrastructure.
Commitment to Cooperative Federalism and Swift Execution
In his letter, Stalin conveyed confidence that, with the Prime Minister's intervention and a continued spirit of cooperative federalism, these concerns would be addressed promptly for the mutual benefit of the state and the nation. He assured the Prime Minister of the state government's full cooperation for the speedy execution of all railway projects, underscoring a collaborative approach to overcoming current hurdles. This appeal underscores the critical intersection of governance, funding, and infrastructure development in driving Tamil Nadu's progress forward.
