CHENNAI, November 2025 — After nearly two decades, significant progress is being made on the 184.45-kilometer Nagari-Tindivanam new railway line, a crucial infrastructure project aimed at enhancing rail connectivity and facilitating economic growth across southern Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

The project, initiated in 2008, is now in full swing, with the Southern Railway construction wing actively tendering for remaining sections. A 13-kilometer stretch between Nagari and Podatturpettai is slated for completion by March 2026, followed by a 20-kilometer segment from Walajah to Sholinghur by December 2026. The entire 184.45-kilometer line, designed for train operations up to 130 kmph, is targeted for completion by March 2028.

This new broad-gauge line is set to revolutionize freight movement and passenger services by providing vital links to industrial hubs, including Special Investment Region Promotion Councils (SIPCOTs), in districts like Ranipet, Vellore, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram. It will also offer alternative routes, connecting major arterial lines such as the Chennai-Katpadi, Chennai-Renigunta, and Chennai-Villupuram lines, thereby improving logistical efficiency and accessibility.

With land acquisition for the entire stretch now complete, the project is poised for accelerated development. Tenders are being finalized for several key packages, including the Sholinghur-Podatturpet and Ranipettai-Arani sections, as well as the Tindivanam-Cheyyar and Cheyyar-Arani segments. This renewed momentum addresses past challenges related to funding and aims to unlock the region's economic potential through improved rail infrastructure.

Source: The New Indian Express