Five Tamil Nadu Railway Projects Frozen or Delayed

09 Sep 2025 CW Team

Responding to an RTI query by citizen Naveen B, Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) J Kumarasubramanian confirmed that the Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai project is on hold, pending the submission of a detailed project report (DPR) as requested by the Railway Board. The DPR for the Sriperumbudur-Guduvancheri line is currently under preparation.

He further noted that the Madurai-Thoothukudi route via Aruppukkottai, a 143.5-km new line, is being shelved due to low freight potential. Although work on the 18-km Milavittan-Melamarudur stretch has been completed, the Erode-Palani new line has also been frozen.

Land acquisition for the Tiruvannamalai-Tindivanam line had been approved in 2011, covering 229.23 hectares. However, progress has stalled. According to a previous RTI response to activist Dayanand Krishnan, cumulative expenditure up to March 2025 includes Rs 728.75 million for the Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai project, Rs 14.8 million for Erode-Palani, Rs 41.6 million for Chennai-Cuddalore, Rs 33.4 million for Attipattu-Puttur, and Rs 12.4 million for Sriperumbudur-Guduvancheri.

Krishnan criticised the delays, especially given Tiruvannamalai’s significance as a pilgrimage site. “The Southern Railway must complete projects that have high potential for passenger use. Land acquisition is repeatedly cited as a bottleneck, yet agencies like the NHAI complete their projects efficiently. A dedicated coordination agency between the Railways and the state government is needed,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had earlier submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting execution delays and urging the central government to revive and expedite these infrastructure projects.

Several railway infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu have either been put on hold or frozen, according to recent disclosures from the Indian Railways’ Construction Department. These include three new railway line proposals — Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai, Attipattu-Puttur, and Chennai-Cuddalore — which have been kept in abeyance. In addition, the Madurai-Thoothukudi line via Aruppukkottai and the Erode-Palani route have been officially frozen by the Railway Board.Responding to an RTI query by citizen Naveen B, Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) J Kumarasubramanian confirmed that the Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai project is on hold, pending the submission of a detailed project report (DPR) as requested by the Railway Board. The DPR for the Sriperumbudur-Guduvancheri line is currently under preparation.He further noted that the Madurai-Thoothukudi route via Aruppukkottai, a 143.5-km new line, is being shelved due to low freight potential. Although work on the 18-km Milavittan-Melamarudur stretch has been completed, the Erode-Palani new line has also been frozen.Land acquisition for the Tiruvannamalai-Tindivanam line had been approved in 2011, covering 229.23 hectares. However, progress has stalled. According to a previous RTI response to activist Dayanand Krishnan, cumulative expenditure up to March 2025 includes Rs 728.75 million for the Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai project, Rs 14.8 million for Erode-Palani, Rs 41.6 million for Chennai-Cuddalore, Rs 33.4 million for Attipattu-Puttur, and Rs 12.4 million for Sriperumbudur-Guduvancheri.Krishnan criticised the delays, especially given Tiruvannamalai’s significance as a pilgrimage site. “The Southern Railway must complete projects that have high potential for passenger use. Land acquisition is repeatedly cited as a bottleneck, yet agencies like the NHAI complete their projects efficiently. A dedicated coordination agency between the Railways and the state government is needed,” he said.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had earlier submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting execution delays and urging the central government to revive and expedite these infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure Transport

17 Oct 2025

Sonowal Unveils Eight Projects at NMPA’s Golden Jubilee

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

India To Boost US LPG Imports, Cut Middle East Reliance

India is planning to reduce imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the Middle East as state-owned refiners prepare to ramp up purchases from the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move aligns with New Delhi’s efforts to expand energy cooperation and secure a broader trade deal with Washington. State refiners have already notified their traditional LPG suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar of the potential reduction in imports. Although the exact size of the supply cut was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested that Indi..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

UK Sanctions Nayara Energy in Crackdown on Russian Oil

The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions on 90 entities, including Indian refiner Nayara Energy Limited, in its latest bid to curb Russian oil revenues and weaken President Vladimir Putin’s war funding. The sanctions, unveiled jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, aim to disrupt networks supporting Moscow’s crude exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the FCDO, the new restrictions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding” by targeting firms and assets that enable Russia’s energy trade. “..