Chennai: The Indian Railways has sanctioned 29 railway surveys in the last four years (2022-23 to 2025-26), covering a total length of 2,501 km across Tamil Nadu. These include 6 new line projects and 23 doubling projects, aimed at strengthening connectivity, easing congestion, and improving freight and passenger movement in the state.
Recently Completed Projects
Several key infrastructure works have been completed fully or partly in Tamil Nadu in recent years. Major projects include:
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Dindigul–Palani–Pollachi gauge conversion (121 km) – ₹610 crore
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Pollachi–Palghat gauge conversion (56 km) – ₹350 crore
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Pollachi–Podanur gauge conversion (40 km) – ₹400 crore
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Quilon–Tirunelveli–Tiruchendur gauge conversion (357 km) – ₹1,122 crore
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Mayiladuturai–Thiruvarur–Karaikkudi gauge conversion (187 km) – ₹1,338 crore
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Madurai–Bodiyakannur gauge conversion (90 km) – ₹593 crore
Key doubling and line augmentation works include:
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Chengalpattu–Villupuram doubling (102 km) – ₹670 crore
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Villupuram–Dindigul doubling (273 km) – ₹2,000 crore
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Madurai–Maniyachi–Tuticorin doubling (160 km) – ₹1,891 crore
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Maniyachi–Nagercoil doubling (102 km) – ₹1,752 crore
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Chennai Beach–Attipattu 4th line (22 km) – ₹293 crore
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Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore doubling (4 km) – ₹272 crore
Port connectivity projects such as the Karaikal–Peralam new line (23 km) and Northern End Port connectivity to Karaikal Port have also been completed to boost freight movement.
Ongoing and Newly Taken-Up Projects
Among the major projects currently underway in the state are:
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Tindivanam–Nagari new line (184 km) – ₹3,631 crore
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Morappur–Dharmapuri new line (36 km) – ₹359 crore
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Nagapattinam–Tiruturaipundi new line (43 km) – ₹742 crore
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Trivandrum–Kanyakumari doubling (87 km) – ₹3,785 crore
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Perambur–Ambattur 5th & 6th lines (6 km) – ₹178 crore
These projects are expected to enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and augment saturated corridors in southern India.
Land Acquisition Slows Key Projects
Despite the push in project approvals, land acquisition remains a major bottleneck.
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Total land required: 4,326 hectares
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Land acquired so far: 1,052 hectares (24%)
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Balance land to be acquired: 3,274 hectares (76%)
Railway authorities have sought stronger support from the Government of Tamil Nadu to expedite land acquisition and prevent further delays.
Major Projects Delayed Due to Land Acquisition
Some critical new line projects facing delays include:
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Tindivanam–Tiruvannamalai (71 km) – 276 ha required; only 33 ha acquired
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Attiputtu–Puttur (88 km) – 189 ha required; no land acquired
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Mannargudi–Pattukkottai (41 km) – 196 ha required; no land acquired
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Thanjavur–Pattukottai (52 km) – 152 ha required; no land acquired
Additionally, the Rameshwaram–Dhanushkodi new line (18 km), sanctioned at a cost of ₹734 crore, remains stalled since its foundation stone was laid on March 1, 2019, due to pending land acquisition by the state government.
Factors Governing Sanction and Completion
Railway officials highlighted that project sanction depends on multiple parameters, including:
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Traffic projections and financial viability
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First and last-mile connectivity
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Decongestion of saturated routes
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Strategic and socio-economic considerations
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Fund availability
Similarly, completion timelines depend on:
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Land acquisition by state authorities
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Forest and statutory clearances
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Utility shifting
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Geological and topographical conditions
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Law and order situations
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Working seasons at project sites
Outlook
While the Centre has accelerated approvals and surveys to expand Tamil Nadu’s rail infrastructure, timely execution will hinge on coordinated action between central and state agencies, particularly in land acquisition and statutory clearances.
If implemented as planned, the sanctioned and ongoing projects are expected to significantly strengthen passenger and freight connectivity across the state, enhance port linkages, and improve network capacity in the coming years.
