Sat Jan 11 19:08:49 UTC 2025: ## State Denies Requesting Cancellation of Madurai-Thoothukudi Rail Line

**Chennai, January 12, 2025** – Tamil Nadu’s Transport Minister, S.S. Sivasankar, has vehemently denied claims made by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw that the state government requested the cancellation of the Madurai-Thoothukudi broad gauge railway line project. Vaishnaw, during a recent visit to Chennai, stated that the project was scrapped due to a written request from the Tamil Nadu government.

Sivasankar, in a statement released on Saturday, called Vaishnaw’s assertion “baseless,” emphasizing the state’s consistent advocacy for the project’s implementation. He cited ongoing land acquisition efforts, with administrative sanctions granted on April 25 and September 22, 2023, as evidence. He further pointed to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s October 18, 2024 letter to the Railways Minister requesting funds for the project, including the Madurai-Thoothukudi line.

Sivasankar also revealed that the state government wrote to Southern Railway on December 12, 2024, inquiring about the project’s status and budget allocation. The Southern Railway’s response indicated that while an 18-km section was completed, they proposed freezing the project due to perceived low freight prospects.

The Tamil Nadu Transport Minister urged the Union Railways Minister to allocate sufficient funds for the project, reiterating the Chief Minister’s request. The conflicting statements highlight a significant disagreement between the state and central governments regarding the future of this crucial railway line.

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