Chennai: Demands are growing for Tamil Nadu to follow Karnataka’s model to fast-track multiple railway line projects that have been progressing at a slow pace for years.
Several key proposals in the state have seen prolonged delays, including the Chennai–Mamallapuram–Cuddalore line (179 km), Tindivanam–Senji–Tiruvannamalai (70 km), Tindivanam–Nagari (179 km), Athipattu–Puttur (88 km) and Erode–Palani (91 km).
Officials point to factors such as inadequate funding and hurdles in land acquisition as major reasons for the sluggish progress. The Railway Ministry has repeatedly stressed that state governments should work jointly with Indian Railways to complete projects faster.
Southern Railway officials said states such as Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have signed agreements with Railways to expedite works. Citing Karnataka’s example, they noted that the 48-km Baiyappanahalli–Hosur double-line project is being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 1,160 crore, with the Centre and the state sharing costs equally.
As of March, Rs 699 crore had been spent on the project, and the Railway Ministry has allocated Rs 124 crore in the current financial year. Of the total length, a 14-km stretch between Heelalige and Bellandur has already been opened for use, while work continues on the remaining sections. Southern Railway said it is ready to collaborate with the Tamil Nadu government and plans to hold talks soon to explore similar cooperation.
