Rail projects stuck in Tamil Nadu amid Centre-State blame game

The war of words between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government over stalled railway projects escalated after BJP Mahila Morcha president and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan accused the ruling DMK of obstructing infrastructure development by delaying land acquisition.

Her comments followed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s charge that the Union Budget had denied Tamil Nadu its due railway projects. Srinivasan countered that the Centre had allocated ₹7,611 crore since 2014 , but only 1,052 of the required 4,326 hectares (24%) had been acquired by the State.

She said the Centre had also released ₹1,465 crore for land acquisition , and that railway projects could not proceed without land. The allocation for the coming financial year, she added, marked an 8.5% increase compared to 2014 . Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has clarified the Centre’s position in response to the Chief Minister’s allegations.

The DMK government maintains that Tamil Nadu has been short-changed in railway funding and argues that land acquisition involves compensation disputes, rehabilitation and legal clearances, making delays unavoidable.

Observers note that while both sides trade blame, infrastructure projects remain stalled on the ground. With funds sanctioned but land pending, commuters continue to wait for improved rail connectivity, highlighting the cost of political standoffs on development.