Madurai - Thoothukudi Railway Project Revived as Southern Railway Floats Consultancy Tender

The long-pending Madurai–Thoothukudi Broad Gauge Railway Line Project has received a fresh boost, with Southern Railway inviting bids for a ₹2.51 crore consultancy contract for the unfinished Melmarudur–Tirupparankundram section.

Originally announced in the 2011–12 Railway Budget, the 143.5-km broad gauge railway project aims to improve rail connectivity between Madurai and Thoothukudi, enhancing passenger and freight transportation across southern Tamil Nadu.

Project Delayed Despite Partial Completion

The 18-km Milavittan–Melmarudur stretch of the railway line was completed in March 2022. However, work on the remaining section 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 put on hold due to limited freight traffic potential, along with insufficient fund allocation and low utilisation of sanctioned funds.

Consultancy Tender Marks Fresh Progress

The newly floated consultancy tender is the first major step toward reviving the balance portion of the project. The selected consultant will prepare the detailed engineering documents and technical plans required before construction can begin.

Welcoming the development, Dayanand Krishnan said the Madurai–Thoothukudi railway line is a strategically important corridor that has remained delayed for several years.

He also stressed the need for alternate railway routes in Tamil Nadu, noting that the state should not rely solely on the Chennai–Kanniyakumari railway corridor. According to him, additional rail links are crucial to maintaining connectivity during emergencies such as floods and other service disruptions.

While the consultancy tender marks a positive development, he emphasised that adequate funding, timely approvals, and swift execution will be essential to ensure the successful completion of the long-awaited railway project.