Chennai, Aug 5:
The long-pending Madurai–Thoothukudi broad-gauge railway line project has seen fresh momentum, with Southern Railway floating a consultancy tender worth Rs 2.51 crore for the unfinished Melmarudur–Tirupparankundram stretch.
Originally announced in the 2011–12 Railway Budget, the 143.5-km project has faced prolonged delays over the years. While the 18-km Milavittan–Melmarudur section was completed in March 2022, work on the remaining stretch has remained stalled despite the Tamil Nadu government issuing land acquisition orders in 2023.
Earlier this year, an RTI response obtained by activist Dayanand Krishnan revealed that the project had been effectively frozen due to low freight prospects. Insufficient fund allocation and poor utilisation were also cited as key reasons for the delay.
The latest tender marks the first significant step towards reviving the balance section. Southern Railway has invited consultants to prepare detailed engineering documents required before construction can begin.
“The Madurai–Thoothukudi line is an important corridor but the project has remained only on paper for years,” said Krishnan. “Tamil Nadu should not depend on a single railway route between Chennai and Kanniyakumari. Alternate routes are essential, particularly during disruptions such as floods. Floating a tender is only the first step; adequate funding and timely execution are equally important.”
The scope of the consultancy includes conducting final location surveys and DGPS surveys for nearly 120 km of the proposed alignment. Consultants will also prepare detailed alignment plans covering track geometry, station yards, bridges, level crossings, gradients, and land boundaries.
In addition, General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) will be prepared for 35 major bridges and 13 road overbridges (ROBs) and road underbridges (RUBs). The assignment also involves hydraulic waterway and scour calculations for 35 major bridges and 182 minor bridges planned along the route.
Southern Railway has proposed to execute the documentation work in three phases: Melmarudur–Nagalapuram, Nagalapuram–Kalkurichi, and Kalkurichi–Tirupparankundram. The selected consultant is expected to complete the assignment within a stipulated timeframe, paving the way for eventual construction.
The revival of the project is expected to enhance rail connectivity in southern Tamil Nadu and provide an alternative corridor, easing pressure on existing routes while improving resilience during disruptions.