Stalin urges PM Modi to fast track TN rail projects, seeks release of pending funds

Seeking urgent intervention to fast-track the sanctioned Railway projects in the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Sunday (February 8), wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the required funds.

Stalin flagged the delay in the release of funds by the Railway Ministry, and highlighted the practice of allocating only partial funds to individual works.

Land acquisition

He noted that while the state government has granted administrative approval for acquiring 2,500.61 hectares for various federal railway projects, the Railway Department is yet to allocate funds for 931.52 hectares, an official release said.

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"The delays in releasing funds and the piecemeal allocation... have hindered the progress of railway projects in Tamil Nadu," the chief minister stated, adding that this has created a state of "prolonged uncertainty" for affected landowners.

Stalin pointed out that land acquisition is 94 per cent complete for 19 major projects, with 1,198.02 hectares already handed over to the Railways. He specifically cited the 'Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari Broad Gauge Doubling' project as a case where 16.86 hectares of land acquisition remains stalled because the Railways has not yet released the necessary Rs 289.78 crore for compensation.

Piecemeal allocation

The CM urged the Prime Minister to ensure that funds for sanctioned projects are released "in full and on a priority basis" to facilitate smooth land acquisition.

He also requested the "reconsideration and restarting" of key projects currently in abeyance, including the Thoothukudi–Madurai (via Aruppukottai) and the Tindivanam–Tiruvannamalai broad gauge lines.

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Emphasising 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 called for additional projects commensurate with the state's "economic stature and developmental needs".

"I am confident that, with your intervention and with the continued spirit of cooperative federalism, these concerns will be addressed promptly for the mutual benefit of the state and the nation," the letter said.

Stalin assured the Prime Minister of the state government's full cooperation for the "speedy execution" of all railway projects.

(With agency inputs)