Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna on Wednesday said that the allocation of funds to Tamil Nadu under the railway sector by the BJP-led NDA government was significantly higher than what the State had received during the Congress-led UPA rule.
The quantum of funds allocated to Tamil Nadu during the UPA rule used to be around ₹879 crore every year. However, the allocation of funds to Tamil Nadu in 2024-205 was ₹6,326 crore which further rose to ₹6,626 crore in 2025-26, the Minister said.
Speaking to journalists at Tiruchi international airport, the Minister said 687 road overbridges and road underbridges had been constructed in Tamil Nadu in the last 10 years of NDA rule. The Minister said 94% of overhead electrification works had already been completed in Tamil Nadu adding that the State would have 100 % electrification of railway lines by 2026.Â
There were 22 ongoing railway projects being executed in Tamil Nadu at a total cost of ₹33,467 crore. Seventy seven railway stations were being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a cost of ₹2,950 crore. The ‘Kavach’ system was being executed in Tamil Nadu at a cost of ₹1,460 crore, he further said.
Replying to a query on when the new Pamban bridge in Rameswaram would be commissioned, the Minister said the Prime Minister had given a date and shortly the bridge would be dedicated to the nation.Â
Published – February 26, 2025 07:29 pm IST
