TN CM Stalin writes to Railway minister
Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urging the allocation of adequate funds for new lines, doubling projects, and various passenger amenities projects in the state.
Stalin expressed disappointment after the railway budget “pink book” revealed that nearly 70 per cent of funds allocated for new railway line projects in Tamil Nadu in the interim budget were slashed in the regular budget for the current year.
In his letter, Stalin noted that the funds for Southern Railway in the regular 2024-25 budget were reduced from Rs 976.1 crore to Rs 301.3 crore compared to the interim budget. He also mentioned that the allocation for doubling projects was cut from Rs 2214.4 crore to Rs 1928.8 crore.
“The drastic reduction of Rs 674.8 crore in funds for new line projects will severely impact the progress of many important ongoing projects in the state. Similarly, the Rs 285.64 crore cut in funds for doubling projects will undoubtedly slow down these much-needed developments,” Stalin stated.
The Chief Minister highlighted several new line projects in his letter, including Nagari – Tindivanam, Tindivanam – Gingee – Tiruvannamalai, Athipattu – Pudur, Erode – Palani, Chennai- Cuddalore (via Mahabalipuram), Madurai-Tuticorin via Aruppukkotai, and Sriperumbudur – Guduvanchery.