Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has raised concerns over the Tamil Nadu government's slow pace in acquiring land for crucial railway projects in the state. Speaking on Monday, the minister revealed that only 24% of the required land has been secured so far, urging the state authorities to accelerate the process to ensure timely completion of announced projects.
Land Acquisition Figures Highlight Delays
According to the minister, out of the total 4,326 hectares needed for various railway initiatives in Tamil Nadu, a mere 1,052 hectares have been acquired. This significant shortfall is impacting the progress of key infrastructure developments that could benefit the state's connectivity and economic growth.
Critical Projects Stalled Due to Land Issues
Vaishnaw specifically cited three major projects that are facing severe delays due to inadequate land acquisition:
- The 88-kilometer Athipattu-Puttur new railway line
- The 41-kilometer new railway line connecting Mannargudi and Pattukottai
- The 52-kilometer Thanjavur-Pattukottai new line
Alarmingly, the minister noted that for these three projects, the state government has not acquired even 1% of the required land, highlighting the extent of the bottleneck.
Financial Commitments and Future Prospects
The Union minister emphasized the central government's financial commitment to railway development in the region. He stated that ₹7,611 crore has been allocated for Southern Railway for the fiscal year 2026-27, earmarked for various projects. Furthermore, the total budget for railway projects in Tamil Nadu stands at an impressive ₹35,700 crore.
Vaishnaw assured that funds are readily available for land acquisition, stating, "We deposited funds and we are happy to deposit more if required." He stressed that Tamil Nadu stands to gain significantly from these projects once the necessary land is made available, potentially transforming regional connectivity and boosting economic activities across the state.
The minister's comments underscore the ongoing coordination challenges between state and central governments in infrastructure development, with land acquisition remaining a critical hurdle in India's ambitious railway modernization plans.
