The execution of important infrastructure projects either completely or partly in Tamil Nadu were “held up due to delay in land acquisition,” Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
While about 4,315 hectares of land was required for projects in Tamil Nadu, about 1,038 hectares (24%) of land has been acquired and 3,277 hectares (76%) of land was yet to be acquired, the Minister said, in his reply to DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian.
“Support of the Government of Tamil Nadu is needed to expedite the land acquisition,” the Minister said. Some major projects which were delayed due to land acquisition, included Tindivanam – Tiruvannamalai new line, Attiputtu – Puttur new line, Morappur – Dharmapuri, Mannargudi – Pattukkottai, Thanjavur – Pattukkottai lines, among others.
“The Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however success depends upon the support of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Land is acquired for railway projects through the State government which decides the compensation amount to be paid,” the Minister said.
Ms. Thangapandian had asked whether the Union government provided adequate funds for the land acquisition process to expedite long-pending railway projects in Tamil Nadu. “As on April 1, 2025, 15 projects — nine new line, three gauge conversion and three doubling — covering a total length of 1,700 km, costing ₹22,808 crore, falling fully/partly in Tamil Nadu, had been sanctioned,” he said. Of these, projects covering a length of 665 km have been commissioned and an expenditure of ₹7,591 crore incurred up to March 2025, the Minister said.
Published – July 23, 2025 11:51 pm IST
