Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 391 regarding the construction of a broad gauge railway line between Theni and Erumeli. A survey for the new line has been sanctioned for DPR preparation. Project sanctioning depends on stakeholder consultations and approvals, with no fixed timelines. The Ministry highlights increased budget allocation for railway projects in Tamil Nadu and ongoing/completed projects.
Key Points / Main Content:
Theni-Erumeli New Line:
- Survey sanctioned for the Theni-Erumeli new line (95 km) for Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation.
- Project sanctioning requires consultation with State Governments, NITI Aayog appraisal, and Ministry of Finance approvals.
- Exact project timelines cannot be fixed due to the dynamic nature of the sanctioning process.
Budget and Project Overview in Tamil Nadu:
- Budget allocation for railway projects in Tamil Nadu has significantly increased.
- Allocation for 2025-26 is ₹6,626 crore, over 7.5 times the 2009-14 average (₹879 crore/year).
- Railway projects in Tamil Nadu are covered by Southern Railway (SR), South Central Railway (SCR), and South Western Railway (SWR) zones.
- As of 01.04.2025, 15 projects (9 New Line, 3 Gauge Conversion, 3 Doubling) totaling 1,700 km, costing ₹22,808 Crore, are sanctioned.
- 665 km have been commissioned with an expenditure of ₹7,591 Crore up to March 2025.
Completed Projects (Fully/Partly in Tamil Nadu):
- Lists 19 recently completed projects, including gauge conversion and doubling projects, with costs.
Ongoing Projects (Fully/Partly in Tamil Nadu):
- Lists 6 ongoing projects, including new lines and doubling projects, with costs.
Land Acquisition Delays:
- Project execution is hindered by land acquisition delays.
- 4315 Ha of land is required for projects in Tamil Nadu, with only 1038 Ha acquired.
- 3277 Ha of land remains to be acquired.
- Support from the Government of Tamil Nadu is needed to expedite land acquisition.
- Lists major projects delayed due to land acquisition, specifying the required and acquired land.
Project Completion Factors:
- Completion depends on land acquisition, forest clearances, utility shifting, statutory clearances, geological conditions, law and order, and working months.
Impact Analysis
Government of Tamil Nadu:
Impact: Required to expedite land acquisition for railway projects to avoid delays.
Action Required: Provide support for quick land acquisition, including necessary clearances and cooperation.
Ministry of Finance, NITI Aayog:
Impact: Involved in the appraisal and approval process for project sanctioning after DPR preparation.
Action Required: Timely appraisal and approval of the project after reviewing the DPR and stakeholder consultations.
Railway Authorities (SR, SCR, SWR):
Impact: Responsible for the execution of railway projects within their respective zones in Tamil Nadu.
Action Required: Monitor project progress, coordinate with the State Government for land acquisition, and ensure timely completion of projects.
General Public:
Impact: Benefits from improved railway infrastructure and connectivity in Tamil Nadu.
Action Required: No direct action required, but will benefit from the completion of railway projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Theni-Erumeli: The proposed broad gauge railway line between Theni and Erumeli for which a survey has been sanctioned.
Detailed Project Report (DPR): The document to be prepared after the survey, which is required for sanctioning the Theni-Erumeli project.
NITI Aayog: A Government of India policy think tank, whose appraisal is required for sanctioning the railway project.
Ministry of Finance: A ministry of the Government of India, whose approval is required for sanctioning the railway project.
Tamil Nadu: The State where several railway projects are located, and whose government's support is crucial for land acquisition and project completion.
Southern Railway (SR): One of the zonal railways of Indian Railways covering projects in Tamil Nadu.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai New Line: An ongoing railway project in Tamil Nadu that is delayed due to land acquisition issues.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 391
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
CONSTRUCTION OF BROAD GAUGE LINE BETWEEN THENI AND
ERUMELI
*391. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:
THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that a tender has been floated for the survey
work/site selection study to construct a broad gauge railway line
between Theni Erumeli;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the amount of funds allotted;
and
(c) the details of the time frame if any, fixed by the Government for
commencement /completion of the said project?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 391 TO BE ANSWERED ON
20.08.2025.
(a) to (c): Survey of Theni-Erumeli new line (95 Km) has been
sanctioned for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
After firming up of Detailed Project Report (DPR), sanctioning of
project requires consultation with various stake-holders including
State Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI
Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As sanctioning of projects is a
continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines cannot be fixed.
Tamil Nadu
Budget allocation in the recent years has increased significantly.
Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works,
falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu is as under:
Period Outlay
2009-14 ₹879 crore/year
2025-26 ₹ 6,626 crore (more than 7.5 times)
Railway projects in Tamil Nadu are covered by Southern Railway
(SR), South Central Railway (SCR) and South Western Railway (SWR)
zone of Indian Railways. Zonal Railway wise details of Railway
projects are made available in public domain on Indian Railway’s
website.
As on 01.04.2025, 15 projects (9 New Line, 03 Gauge Conversion
and 03 Doubling) of total length 1,700 Km, costing ₹22,808 Crore,
…2/--2-
falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu, are sanctioned, out of
which 665 Km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of
₹7,591 Crore has been incurred upto March’ 2025. The summary
is as under:-
Expenditure
Total Length
No. of upto March
Plan Head Length Commissioned
projects 2025
(in Km) (in Km)
(₹in Cr.)
New Line 9 812 24 1,337
Gauge Conversion 3 748 604 3,471
Doubling 3 140 37 2,783
/Multitracking
Total 15 1700 665 7,591
Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in
Tamil Nadu are as under :
S. Cost
Project
N (₹in Crores)
1 Dindigal Palani Pollachi Gauge Conversion (121 km) 610
2 Pollachi Palghat Gauge Conversion (56 km) 350
3 Pollachi Podhanur Gauge Conversion (40 km) 400
4 Quilon-Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur Gauge Conversion
1122
(357 km)
5 Mayiladuturai-Thiruvarur-Karaikkudi Gauge
1338
Conversion (187 km)
6 Madurai-Bodiyakannur Gauge Conversion (90 km) 593
7 Chengalpattu Villupuram Doubling (102 km) 670
8 Tiruvallur-Arakkonam 4th line (27 km) 83
9 Chennai Central-Basin Bridge Doubling (2 km) 31
10 Thanjavur-Ponmalai - Doubling (48 km) 370
11 Villupuram-Dindigul Doubling (273 km) 2000
12 Chennai Beach-Korukkupet 3rd line (5 km) 168
13 Chennai Beach-Attipattu 4th line (22 km) 293
14 Omalur-Metturdam Patch Doubling (29 km) 327
…3/--3-
15 Chengalpattu-Villupuram and Tambaram-
1122
Chengalpattu - 3rd line (133 km)
16 Salem-Magnesite Junction-Omalur Doubling (11 km) 115
17 Madurai- Maniyachi-Tuticorin Doubling (160 km) 1891
18 Maniyachi-Nagercoil Doubling (102 km) 1752
19 Chennai Beach- Chennai Egmore Doubling (4 km) 272
Details of some ongoing projects falling fully/partly in Tamil Nadu are as
under :
Cost
S.N Project
(₹in Crores)
1 Tindivanam-Nagari New Line (184 Km) 3631
2 Morappur-Dharmapuri New Line (36 Km) 359
3 Nagapattinam – Tiruturaipundi new line (43 Km) 742
4 Karaikal –Peralam New line (23 Km) 373
5 Trivandrum- Kanyakumari- Doubling (87 Km) 3785
6 3rd & 4th line Arakkonam yard (6 Km) 98
Execution of important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in
the State of Tamil Nadu are held up due to delay in land acquisition.
Status of land acquisition in Tamil Nadu is as under:
Total Land required for Projects in
4315 Ha
Tamil Nadu
Land Acquired 1038 Ha ( 24%)
Balance Land to be acquired 3277 Ha ( 76%)
Support of the Government of Tamil Nadu is needed to expedite the
land acquisition.
Details of some major projects which are delayed due to land
acquisition are as under:-
…4/--4-
Total Land Balance
S land acquired Land to be
Name of the project
N required (in Ha) acquired
(in Ha) (in Ha)
Tindivanam–Tiruvannamalai New
1 273 33 240
Line (71 km)
Attiputtu – Puttur New Line (88
2 189 0 189
km)
3 Morappur – Dharmapuri (36 km) 93 42 51
4 Mannargudi-Pattukkottai (41 km) 196 0 196
5 Thanjavur-Pattukottai (52 km) 152 0 152
Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however
success depends upon the support of Government of Tamil Nadu.
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors like
quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by
officials of forest department, shifting of infringing utilities,
statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and
topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area
of project/s site, number of working months in a year for particular
project site etc. All these factors affect the completion time and
cost of the project/s.
*****