Execution of major railway infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu has been delayed primarily due to slow progress in land acquisition, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha. Responding to a question from Cuddalore MP M. Vishnu Prasad, the minister said that in the last three financial years—FY23, FY24 and FY25—and in the current fiscal year, 28 surveys (including five new lines and 23 doubling projects) covering 2,493 kilometres have been sanctioned in the state.

A total of 4,326 hectares of land is required for ongoing projects in Tamil Nadu. However, only 1,052 hectares, or 24 per cent, has been acquired so far. The remaining 3,274 hectares, accounting for 76 per cent, still need to be obtained. Vaishnaw emphasised that the Tamil Nadu government’s support is crucial to expedite the process.

Several major projects are facing delays due to pending land acquisition, including:

Tindivanam–Tiruvannamalai new line (71 km)

Attiputtu–Puttur new line (88 km)

Morappur–Dharmapuri new line (36 km)

Mannargudi–Pattukottai new line (41 km)

Thanjavur–Pattukottai new line (52 km)

The Rameshwaram–Dhanushkodi new line (18 km), sanctioned at a cost of Rs 7.34 billion, has also not commenced despite the foundation stone being laid on 1 March 2019. The project remains stalled due to the state government not initiating land acquisition.

Vaishnaw added that while the Centre is fully prepared to execute the sanctioned works, timely completion depends heavily on the cooperation of the Tamil Nadu government.

Budgetary support for railway projects in the state has increased sharply. Between 2009 and 2014, the annual allocation stood at Rs 8.79 billion, which has risen to Rs 66.26 billion in 2025–26.

As of 1 April 2025, 15 projects—comprising nine new lines, three gauge conversions and three doubling works—covering 1,700 kilometres and costing Rs 228.08 billion have been sanctioned in Tamil Nadu. Of this, 665 kilometres have been commissioned, with Rs 75.91 billion spent up to March 2025.

In response to another query on the new Chennai–Cuddalore railway line via Mahabalipuram, Vaishnaw stated that the Puducherry government requested alignment changes towards the northern and southern sides of the existing Villupuram–Puducherry line and sought doubling between Puducherry and Cuddalore. As the revision was initiated by the Union Territory, the Centre asked Puducherry to bear the additional cost. However, the UT government expressed its inability to fund the realignment and doubling.