Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin
| Photo Credit:
ASHOK R
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for timely resolution of pending issues on railway projects in the state, particularly regarding the release of funds for land acquisition and the revival of projects that have been placed in abeyance.
“I am constrained to write this in the light of some factually incorrect information that are being spread in the media in this regard,” he said.
Stalin in the letter said that in Tamil Nadu, Administrative Sanction have been accorded for acquisition of Lands to an extent of 2500.61.06 Hectares for implementation of various Railway Projects of the Union Government.
Out of 2500.61.06 Hectares of Lands, Railways have not sanctioned funds for an extent of 931.52.96 Hectares of Lands. Administrative Sanction for land acquisition in respect of two Projects for which revised Land Plan Schedule (LPS) was received recently from Railways for an extent of 296.02.95 Hectares of Private Lands are under process and will be issued shortly.
Out of balance extent of 1273.05.15 Hectares of Lands pertaining to 19 major ongoing Railway Projects, Land Acquisition Works have been completed for an extent of 1198.02.34 Hectares of Lands (94 per cent) and the same have been handed over to Railways Department. However, in respect of five projects, the LPS is yet to be furnished by the Railways, he said.
In respect of major Railway projects such as Tindivanam-Nagari BGL, Madurai-Thoothukudi BGL, Maniyachi-Nagercoil BGL, Kanniyakumari-Nagercoil Doubling of BGL, Nagercoil-Eraniel Doubling of BGL, Thoothukudi-Madurai (via Aruppukkottai) New BGL (Phase-I), Chinnasalem-Kallakurichi New BGL, Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur BGL, Four Junction Point in Pattukkottai, New BGL (Salem-Karur Track Formation), Mannargudi-Needamangalam BGL, Chennai Beach-Korukkupet 3/4th Line, Villupuram-Dindigul BGL, Land Acquisition Works have been fully completed. Also, Land Acquisition Works are being carried out expeditiously for the remaining projects, he said.
‘Lumpsum, not piecemeal’
Timely payment of compensation to landowners is an essential prerequisite for completing the land acquisition process. Regrettably, delays in the release of funds, often in piecemeal manner for individual projects have severely hampered progress. This has led to disruptions, prolonged uncertainty for affected landowners and delays in project execution, he said.
A pertinent example is the pending acquisition of 16.86.51 hectares for the ‘Doubling of Broad-Gauge Railway Line between Thiruvananthapuram–Kanniyakumari’ project. The Railways are yet to allocate the required funds amounting to ₹289.78 crore for settling compensation. This is a major project in Tamil Nadu, also under monitoring through the PMG Portal of the Government of India. A lumpsum and timely allocation of funds for land acquisition, rather than piecemeal releases, would enable uninterrupted and expeditious completion of these critical Projects, he said.
“I would also like to express concern over the relatively limited allocation of new railway projects to Tamil Nadu in recent years,” he said.
Stalin urged Prime Minister to restart the important projects that have been kept in abeyance by the Railways – Thoothukudi – Madurai (Via Aruppukottai) New Broad Gauge Line and Tindivanam – Tiruvannamalai Broad Gauge Railway Line Project (for which Administrative Sanctions have already been issued for acquisition of 931.52.96 hectares) and provide necessary funding support.
The Railway ministry should also consider sanctioning additional new railway projects commensurate with Tamil Nadu’s economic stature and developmental needs, said Stalin.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw last week said he sought support from the Tamil Nadu government for land acquisition. For project construction, land totalling 4.326 hectares is required, but only 1,052 hectares (or 24 per cent) has been acquired so far. “We request 100 per cent of land be acquired so that people of Tamil Nadu benefit. We have deposited funds and wherever additional funds are required, we will deposit them,” the minister said.
Published on February 8, 2026
