PMK Demands Speedy Action on 19 Delayed Railway Projects in Tamil Nadu

The Delay

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has written a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw asking for the quick implementation of 19 long-pending railway projects in Tamil Nadu. The letter was sent on Tuesday because of deep worry over slow progress in building vital railway infrastructure.

Project Numbers

The data shared shows that 19 projects are still pending as of April 1, 2026. This total includes eight new line projects, eight doubling works, and three gauge conversion projects. These plans have a total estimated cost of ₹ 27,282 crore, but only ₹ 8,811 crore has been spent so far. The leader noted that more money has been given by the Union Government, including a record allocation of ₹ 7,611 crore for Tamil Nadu in the 2026-27 financial year, but this has not turned into real progress on the ground.

The New Lines

The letter focuses heavily on eight sanctioned new railway line projects that cover 811 km with an estimated cost of ₹ 15,653 crore. Some of these projects were announced over twenty years ago. Total spending on them has reached only ₹ 1,514 crore, which is less than 10% of the budget, and workers have completed just 24 km of new lines.

Causes and Solutions

The slow pace happens mainly due to two things: not enough targeted funding for new lines and critical delays in state land acquisition. To fix this, Anbumani asked the railway minister to set up a special committee with officials and experts from both the Union and State governments and district administrations. This group would manage fund allocation, handle land acquisition, and send monthly progress reports to stop delays.

Context

Large railway infrastructure projects across India often face delays due to challenges in land acquisition and getting steady funding over many years. Better rail connectivity helps connect major cities and smaller towns, which supports trade and daily travel. State and central bodies often need close teamwork to speed up these massive engineering works.