Madurai-Thoothukudi Railway line project not shelved : Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has clarified that there are no land-related issues from the Tamil Nadu government concerning the Madurai-Thoothukudi rail project, following confusion that arose from a recent press briefing.
On January 10, during a press meet at Integral Coach Factory in Perambur, the Union Railway Minister responded to questions from the media regarding several projects in Tamil Nadu.
Amid the backdrop of factory noise, a question regarding the Madurai-Thoothukudi rail project was mistakenly heard as referring to the Dhanushkodi project.
The Ministers response, which pertained to the Dhanushkodi line project, mentioned that the Tamil Nadu government had written to the Railway Ministry suggesting the project be dropped due to land and environmental concerns.
However, the media took the Ministers reply to refer to the Madurai-Thoothukudi project, leading to widespread speculation and criticism. In a clarification, the Ministry issued a statement explaining the mix-up.
The statement announced there were no land-related issues regarding the Madurai-Thoothukudi project from the Tamil Nadu government.
After Vaishnaw said the Madurai-Thoothukudi railway line project was shelved because the Tamil Nadu government asked it to be dropped, saying they did not want it, ruling party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) rejected the claims.
The state government asserted that it was consistently urging the implementation of the Madurai-Thoothukudi rail project.
In a statement, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar said, The Tamil Nadu government had neither in writing nor verbally, sought for the project to be withdrawn. On the contrary, it has been consistently urging the implementation of the project. The state minister also said that three letters seeking funds were sent to the Centre in August-September 2024 but there was no response from it.