Cabinet approves ₹2,229-crore railway expansion in Tamil Nadu

The Union Cabinet has granted approval for the development of additional railway lines along the Gummidipoondi-Gudur section, marking a significant step toward decongesting India's rail network in Tamil Nadu. The project, valued at ₹2,229 crore, is expected to be executed over four years and will focus on improving operational efficiency at Gudur, a critical railway junction handling substantial traffic volumes.

Gudur serves as a major confluence point for trains operating on multiple routes, including services to Chennai, Vijayawada and Tirupati. The existing infrastructure at the junction has faced mounting pressure from increasing passenger and freight traffic, necessitating infrastructure expansion to maintain service quality and operational reliability.

The approved expansion project seeks to decongest the high-density traffic junction by creating additional line capacity. This development is anticipated to streamline train scheduling, reduce delays and improve overall connectivity across the Chennai-Vijayawada-Tirupati corridor, one of the busiest stretches in South India's rail network.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernize and expand railway infrastructure across the region, supporting both passenger mobility and freight transportation objectives. State officials have welcomed the Cabinet's decision, viewing it as crucial for addressing long-standing capacity constraints at one of the region's most strategically important rail hubs.