Rly allots ₹6.7K cr for TN this year; works stalled for 20 yrs to resume

AFTER facing severe backlash from both rail passengers and the ruling DMK government over inadequate funding for new lines and doubling projects last year, the Railways significantly enhanced its budget allocation for 2025-26.

- B ANBUSELVAN

A total of ₹612.8 crore has been earmarked for eight new line projects, compared to ₹339 crore the previous year.

Among these, the Nagari-Tindivanam new line project, for which 95% of land has already been acquired, received ₹347 crore.

A total of ₹6,626 crore was allocated for Tamil Nadu for 2025-26.

The funding details were obtained through an RTI request filed by TNIE and activist Dayanand Krishnan, as the Railways have stopped publishing the Pink Book, which traditionally disclosed the annual budget allocations.

The Madurai-Thoothukudi (via Aruppukottai) project (143.5km), for which the land acquisition unit was dismantled last year for want of funds, has been allotted ₹55.2 crore.

Notably, the long-delayed Erode-Palani new line, which has existed only on paper for nearly 20 years, received ₹50 crore.

The Chennai-Cuddalore new line via Mahabalipuram was also granted ₹52.1 crore. Allocation for doubling projects has also shown significant improvement.