**Executive Summary**
This document is a response from the Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology to a query in Lok Sabha (Unstarred Question No. 694) regarding a proposed new railway line between Erode and Namakkal, and an alternative Erode-Namakkal-Chennai corridor. The response indicates that the Government is not considering a new line project as Erode and Namakkal are already connected. However, surveys have been taken up to improve connectivity on the existing Erode-Chennai route, and budget allocation has increased significantly for infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **New Railway Line Proposal:**
* The Government is not considering a new railway line project between Erode and Namakkal.
* Erode and Namakkal are already connected through existing railway network via Karur Jn and Salem Jn.
* **Erode-Chennai Route Enhancement:**
* Doubling/multitracking surveys have been conducted to improve connectivity on the existing Erode-Chennai route.
* Projects include:
* Karur – Salem doubling (85 km)
* Erode-Karur doubling (67 km)
* Erode -Jollarpettai 3rd & 4th line (120 km)
* Jollarpettai-Katpadi-Arakkonam 3rd & 4th line (145 km)
* **Budget Allocation in Tamil Nadu:**
* Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works has increased significantly.
* Budget Allocation (2009-14): ₹879 crore/year
* Budget Allocation (2025-26): ₹6,626 crore
* **Sanctioned Projects in Tamil Nadu (as of 01.04.2025):**
* 15 projects totaling 1,700 km have been sanctioned, costing ₹22,808 Crore.
* Includes: 9 New Line projects (812 km), 3 Gauge Conversion projects (748 km), and 3 Doubling/Multitracking projects (140 km).
* **Completed Projects in Tamil Nadu:**
* Several completed projects listed, including gauge conversions, doubling, and new lines, with costs specified.
* A few examples are:
* Dindigal-Palani-Pollachi gauge conversion (121 km) : ₹610 Crores
* Villupuram-Dindigul doubling (273 km): ₹2,000 Crores
* **Ongoing Projects in Tamil Nadu:**
* Tindivanam-Nagari new line (184 km): ₹3,631 Crores.
* **Land Acquisition:**
* Land acquisition is a significant challenge delaying project execution.
* Total land required for projects: 4,326 ha
* Land acquired: 1,052 ha (24%)
* Balance land to be acquired: 3,274 ha (76%)
* Details of projects delayed due to land acquisition are provided.
* The Rameshwaram – Dhanushkodi new line (18 km), sanctioned at a cost of ₹734 Cr, could not be started because land acquisition has not been undertaken by the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
* **Factors Affecting Project Sanction and Completion:**
* Sanction: Traffic projections, connectivity, augmentation of congested lines, demands by stakeholders, railway operational requirements, socio-economic considerations, and fund availability.
* Completion: Land acquisition, forest clearance, shifting of utilities, statutory clearances, geological conditions, law and order, and working months.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact:** Required to manage existing and planned projects within Tamil Nadu, including navigating land acquisition challenges and prioritizing based on various factors.
* **Action Required:** Address land acquisition delays through collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu, and effectively allocate resources based on project feasibility and impact.
**Government of Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Responsible for supporting railway projects within the state, particularly regarding land acquisition.
* **Action Required:** Expedite land acquisition processes to facilitate timely completion of railway projects, and potentially advocate for new projects based on regional needs.
**Citizens/Passengers in Erode, Namakkal, Chennai, and Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Affected by the efficiency and connectivity of the railway network, including access to improved passenger convenience and reduced congestion.
* **Action Required:** No direct action, but may benefit from improved rail infrastructure and services in the future.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The primary governmental body responsible for the railway projects discussed in the document.
Tamil Nadu: The State where the railway projects are located and where land acquisition is an issue.
Erode–Chennai rail route: The existing railway route that is experiencing congestion.
Erode-Namakkal railway line: The proposed new railway line connecting Erode and Namakkal.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 694
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
NEW RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN ERODE- NAMAKKAL
694. SHRI K E PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has considered or proposes to undertake a
new railway line project connecting Erode and Namakkal in view of the
potential to improve connectivity for Kumarapalayam (which falls under
the Erode Parliamentary Constituency) and nearby regions and if so, the
details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government is aware that the existing Erode–Chennai rail
route is highly congested and if so, whether an alternative Erode–
Namakkal–Chennai corridor has been examined to ease traffic and
improve passenger convenience?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) and (b): Kumarapalayam is about 15 km away from the Erode Jn which
serves as the transportation hub for the nearby regions. Erode and
Namakkal are already connected through existing railway network via
Karur Jn and also via Salem Jn. To improve connectivity on existing Erode-
Chennai route following doubling/multitracking surveys have been taken up:
S. Length
Project
N. (in Kms)
1 Karur – Salem doubling (part of Dindigul-Karur-Salem
85
doubling)
...2/--2-
2 Erode-Karur doubling 67
3 Erode –Jollarpettai 3rd & 4th line 120
4 Jollarpettai-Katpadi-Arakkonam 3rd & 4th line 145
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)
As on 01.04.2025, 15 projects (09 new line, 03 gauge conversion and 03
doubling) of 1,700 km length, costing ₹22,808 Crore, falling fully/partly in
the State of Tamil Nadu, are sanctioned. The summary is as under:-
Category No. of Total Length Expenditure
sanctioned Length Commissioned upto Mar’ 25
projects (in km) upto Mar’25 (₹ in Cr.)
(in km)
New Line 9 812 24 1,337
Gauge Conversion 3 748 604 3,471
Doubling 3 140 37 2,783
/Multitracking
Total 15 1,700 665 7,591
Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in Tamil
...3/--3-
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
1,122
(357 km)
5 Mayiladuturai – Thiruvarur - Karaikkudi gauge
1,338
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) 2,000
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
15 Chengalpattu - Villupuram and Tambaram -
1,122
Chengalpattu-3rd line (133 km)
16 Salem-Magnesite Junction-Omalur doubling (11 km) 115
17 Madurai- Maniyachi-Tuticorin doubling (160 km) 1,891
18 Maniyachi-Nagercoil doubling (102 km) 1,752
19 Chennai Beach-Chennai Egmore doubling (4 km) 272
20 Karaikal-Peralam new line (23 km) 373
21 Northern End Port connectivity to Karaikal Port 18
(1 km)
Some of the projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu which
have been taken up are as under :
Cost
S.N Project (₹ in
Crores)
1 Tindivanam-Nagari new line (184 km) 3,631
...4/--4-
2 Morappur-Dharmapuri new line (36 km) 359
3 Nagapattinam-Tiruturaipundi new line (43 km) 742
4 Trivandrum-Kanyakumari doubling (87 km) 3,785
5 Arakkonam yard 3rd & 4th line (6 km) 98
6 Perambur and Ambattur stations 5th & 6th lines 178
project (6 Km)
In last three years i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and current financial year
2025-26, 29 surveys (06 new line and 23 doubling) covering a total length of
2,501 km has been sanctioned falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu.
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 Tamil Nadu 4,326 ha
Land Acquired 1,052 ha (24%)
Balance Land to be acquired 3,274 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:-
SN Name of the project Total Land Balance
land acquired Land to be
required (in ha) acquired
(in ha) (in ha)
1. Tindivanam - Tiruvannamalai 276 33 243
new line (71 km)
2. Attiputtu-Puttur new line (88 km) 189 0 189
...5/--5-
3. Morappur-Dharmapuri new line 92 45 47
(36 km)
4. Mannargudi-Pattukkottai new 196 0 196
line (41 km)
5. Thanjavur-Pattukottai new line 152 0 152
(52 km)
Further, Rameshwaram – Dhanushkodi new line (18 km) was sanctioned at
a cost of ₹734 Cr. The Foundation Stone of the project was laid on
01.03.2019. However, the project could not be started because the land
acquisition has not been undertaken by the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however success
depends upon the support of Government of Tamil Nadu.
Sanction of any railway project depend upon many parameters/factors
which include the following:
Anticipated traffic projections and remunerativeness of the
proposed route
First and last mile connectivity provided by the project
Connection of missing links and providing additional route
Augmentation of congested/saturated lines
Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public
representatives
Railway’s own operational requirements
Socio-economic considerations
Overall availability of funds
...6/--6-
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include
the following:
Land acquisition by State Government
Forest clearance
Shifting of infringing utilities
Statutory clearances from various authorities
Geological and topographical conditions of area
Law and order situation in the area of project 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.
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