Chennai, July 24:
The Centre has approved a Final Location Survey for adding fifth and sixth railway lines on the 68-km suburban corridor between Chennai and Arakkonam via Tiruvallur. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the expansion aims to boost capacity and improve suburban connectivity on one of the State’s busiest rail stretches.
The project will require approvals from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance, along with coordination with the State government. Meanwhile, stations such as Tiruvallur and Gummidipoondi are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with improved infrastructure and passenger facilities.
Officials noted that land acquisition remains a major challenge, with only about 26% of the required land secured so far for railway projects across Tamil Nadu. Several key rail projects continue to face delays due to pending land acquisition and clearances, affecting overall progress in expanding rail infrastructure.