Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Tamil Nadu has been allocated Rs 76,110 mn in the Union Budget 2026–27, marking a 14.9 per cent increase over the Rs 66,260 mn allotted in 2025–26. The allocation is intended for ongoing new line projects, track doubling, station redevelopment and safety-related works, with project-wise details to be disclosed when the Pink Book is released. Officials indicated that the funds will be deployed across construction and modernisation priorities identified for the state.

The minister urged the Tamil Nadu government to extend support for land acquisition to ensure faster completion of railway projects, and officials reiterated that timely state cooperation will be critical to project delivery. Project-wise allocations and the schedule of releases are expected to be clarified following publication of the Pink Book and subsequent administrative orders.

Southern Railway has decided to revive three new line projects that had been kept in abeyance, officials said, namely the Chennai–Cuddalore line via Mahabalipuram, the Tindivanam–Tiruvannamalai line and the Sriperumbudur–Guduvanchery line via Irungattukottai. These projects are now under active consideration for execution and will be prioritised within the broader regional development plan.

As part of the first phase of the 58 km Avadi–Guduvanchery–Sriperumbudur new line project, the 32 km stretch between Sriperumbudur, Irungattukottai and Guduvanchery will be taken up and funding for this phase is expected in the current financial year. Redevelopment work at Egmore station is expected to be completed by December, with two platforms being blocked in a phased manner for upgrade works and a reduction in the need to shift trains to Tambaram anticipated after May.

An official note said Rs 31,470 mn has been earmarked for modernisation of 77 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat scheme, with redevelopment completed at 18 stations including Sholavandan, Tiruvarur, Morappur, Karaikudi and Tiruvannamalai. Since 2014, 1,350 km of tracks have been constructed and 2,386 km of railway lines have been electrified in Tamil Nadu, figures that officials described as significant for regional connectivity.