CHENNAI: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fast track 20 rail projects in the state announced in previous budgets. In a letter to Modi, she said, “Rail transportation is a very important element of such infrastructure and has played an important integrating role in the social and economic development of the state.”
According to the Chief Ministers’ ‘Vision Tamil Nadu — 2023’ document, the 10 important railway projects that have been identified crucial for development of rail transport in the state are doubling of Chennai — Kanyakumari line, Sriperumbudur — Guindy and Chennai — Thoothukkudi freight lines, high speed passenger links between Chennai and Kanyakumari, between Madurai and Coimbatore, Coimbatore and Chennai and Chennai — Bangalore, Chennai — Bangalore freight corridor, Avadi – Guduvancheri rail link and Tiruvallur — Ennore port line.
Of the 10 projects, the state has prioritised three, Chennai-Thoothukkudi freight corridor, high-speed passenger links between Chennai and Kanyakumari and between Madurai and Coimbatore under the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with participation of State and Railway ministry.
The Chief minister also expressed concern over the slew of railway projects that are pending such as a new railway line from Morappur to Dharmapuri, doubling from Tindivanam to Kanyakumari, doubling from Renigunta to Arakkonam, third and fourth lines from Attipattu to Gummidipoondi, and new line between Karaikudi and Ramanathapuram.
