Two months ago, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament that delays in new line projects in Tamil Nadu were mainly due to land acquisition challenges. However, 90 per cent of the required land for the 184.45 km Nagari-Tindivanam new line project has been acquired, and work is progressing on the remaining 10 per cent. This project, which has faced delays since 2008, has led rail passengers to urge for increased funding in the upcoming budget to expedite its completion.

The Nagari-Tindivanam new line will improve connectivity by linking rural villages in Ranipet, Vellore, Thiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. It will connect the Chennai-Katpadi line at Walajah, the Chennai-Renigunta line at Nagari, and the Chennai-Villupuram section at Tindivanam.

The line will pass through the Cheyyar and Palar rivers, national highways, and four-lane highways. The project will also feature 20 new stations, including Vellimedupettai, Teller, Vandavasi, and Erumai Vetti, along with the construction of 26 major and 200 minor bridges.

Out of the total length, only 6 km (3 per cent) of the new line between Walajah Road and Ranipet was completed and opened for goods traffic in November 2020. Since then, progress has been slow, frustrating commuters and stakeholders.

Southern Railway officials have stated that funds are allocated based on project stages, and they are optimistic about receiving sufficient funding. According to information obtained through RTI, Southern Railway awarded contracts in June last year to construct 33.26 km of new line at an estimated cost of Rs 2.31 billion. Of the 725.7 hectare required for the project, 699.37 hectare have already been acquired.

News source: The Indian Express