Lok Sabha Question No. 641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Madurai-Thoothukudi Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 641 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2023

## MADURAI-THOOTHUKUDI RAILWAY LINE

641.  SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Southern Railways had recommended the freezing of the Madurai-Thoothukudi 143.5 Km railway line project;
- (b) if so, the reasons for freezing the project, if any;
- (c) the time by which this project is likely to be resumed;
- (d) the details of funds allocated and utilised for this project; and
- (e) the progress that has been made in this project till now?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 641 BY SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  06.12.2023 REGARDING MADURAI-THOOTHUKUDI RAILWAY LINE

(a) to (e): No proposal for freezing new line project between Madurai and Thoothukodi via Aruppukottai (143 Km) is under consideration in Railway.  Madurai  is  already  connected  with  Thoothukodi  (Tuticorin) via Virudunagar and Vanchi  Maniyachchi. The project for connecting Madurai and Thoothukodi via Aruppukottai is under progress. Milavittan - Melamarudur (18 Km) section has been commissioned in March,  2022.  The  detailed  estimate  for  the  remaining  stretch  from Melmarudur to Madurai via Aruppukottai is under preparation. Approximately 870.98 Ha. land is required, out of which 74.87 Ha land has been acquired. Land acquisition is in progress.

The  completion  of  any  Railway  project(s)  depends  on  various factors  like  quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  shifting  of infringing utilities, statutory clearances  from  various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months in a year  for  particular  project  site  due  to  climatic  conditions  etc.    All these factors affect the completion time of the project(s).

Railway infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil  Nadu  are  covered  under  Southern  Railway  (SR),  South  Central Railway  (SCR)  and  South  Western  Railway  (SWR)  zone  of  Indian Railways.

Since  2014,  there  has  been  substantial  increase  in  Budget allocation  and  commensurate  commissioning  of  projects.  Budget allocation  for  infrastructure  and  safety  projects  in  Tamil  Nadu  has been  enhanced  to  highest  at ` 6,080  crore  this  year  which  is  nearly seven times of the budget allocation of ` 922 crore in 2013-14.

Average  annual  Budget  allocation  for  Infrastructure  and  safety works, falling fully/ partly in State of Tamil Nadu, during 2014-19 has been  enhanced  to ` 1,979  crore  per  year  which  is  125%  more  than average annual budget outlay of ` 879 crore per year during 2009-14. These  allocations have been increased to ` 2,410  crore  for  Financial Year 2019-20 (174% more than average annual allocation of 2009-14), ` 2,812  crore  for  Financial  Year  2020-21  (220%  more  than  average annual  budget  allocation  of  2009-14)  and ` 3,730  crore  for  Financial Year 2021-22 (324% more than average annual allocation of 2009-14) and ` 3,865 in FY 2022-23 (340% more than average annual allocation of 2009-14). For FY 2023-24, highest ever Budget Outlay ` 6,080 crore has  been  provided  for  these  works,  which  is  559%  more  than allocation of 2013-14 ( ` 922 crore).

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