Set up SPV to put railway projects on fast track: Tamil Nadu government

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has insisted upon Southern Railway to create a special purpose vehicle to execute four major projects in Tamil Nadu. All the projects are aimed at boosting the global investors meet scheduled in September. Under the proposal new railway line and doubling of tracks are proposed connecting Chennai – Sriperumbudur – Avadi and Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Puducherry- Cuddalore, Southern Railway general manager Ashok K. Agarwal told reporters here on Tuesday.

A new line connecting Madurai – Pudukottai – Tuticorin at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore is also proposed and the projects are now under discussion as a prelude to the global investors meet, the GM said adding that the railway minister had also written to the state governments seeking their participation by forming special purpose vehicles so that the railway infra projects were executed without delay.

Pointing out that land acquisition was a big issue delaying railway doubling works in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Mr Agarwal said he would soon meet the chief secretaries of the two states seeking their coooperation in the matter. According to the chief administrative officer (construction), Venkatasami, the new railway projects will boost the industries and enhance railway connectivity along the industrial corridors.

Detailed project reports and project cost for all the projects are ready. Avadi – Sriperumbudur new line will require Rs 720 crore for execution. Similarly the Chennai (Perungudi) – Mahabalipuram – Pudhucherry – Cuddalore railway line is estimated to cost Rs1,950 crore, he said. When asked about the status of MRTS line connecting Velachery–St Thomas Mount, the official said the project was getting delayed due to land acquisition litigations.