38 trains in TN to get additional stoppages from Aug 18: Union Minister
Talking to reporters here, Murugan also said the Centre has sanctioned about Rs 10 lakh crore in the last 10 years to implement social welfare schemes including modernisation and expansion of national highways, airports and ports in Tamil Nadu.
Murugan said he received petitions from the public demanding that express trains, superfast trains and passenger trains stop at additional railway stations in different parts of the state, and that he took the matter to the attention of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Vaishnaw, who accepted the demands of railway passengers, issued the necessary orders for extra stoppage, the minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, said.
The additional stoppages include Ambur for Chennai Central-Shivamogha Weekly Superfast Express. The Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express will stop at Gudiyatham and Vaniyambadi for two minutes each.
Similarly, the Coimbatore-Nagercoil Express Train will stop at Irugur and Singanallur. This train will also stop at the above mentioned stations in the opposite direction and additionally at Melappalayam. The Puducherry-Kanniyakumari Express will stop at Valliyur for the convenience of passengers.
Murugan further said the Central government has given Rs 6,626 crore for the state's railway projects in 2025-26.
During the Congress-led UPA regime between 2009-2014, this allocation was Rs 879 crore, he said.
Under the Amrit Bharat Railway Stations Scheme, work was being carried out at fast pace to upgrade 77 railway stations in Tamil Nadu at an estimated cost of Rs 2,948 crore.
Under this scheme, Rs 800 crore has been allocated for the redevelopment of Chennai Egmore Railway Station and work is being carried out. Similarly, the reconstruction work of Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Katpadi and Salem railway stations is underway in full swing, a press release quoted him as saying.
Murugan said work of laying new tracks for a distance of 2,587 kilometers was underway at an estimated cost of Rs 33,467 crore, and 10 new railway lines, 3 broad gauge railway lines and 9 double-track lines are being constructed.
Work on the Maduravoyal-Chennai Harbour elevated project was also progressing at 'full speed,' it quoted him as saying. PTI SA KH
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Land acquisition: Thirumangalam water scheme delayed by five months
MADURAI: Trouble with land acquisition has allegedly delayed the Rs 52.54-crore water scheme project of the Thirumangalam Municipality by five months. Commenced on January 1 last year, the project was initially scheduled for completion in July 2025; now, officials from the Water Resources Department expect the project to be over by December this year. Sources said drinking water is being supplied to the 20,000-odd households in Thirumangalam Municipality through two schemes -- Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board's combined water scheme supplying 3.3 MLD from Cauvery river and local sources supplying 2.1 MLD from Vaigai river in Thiruvengadam. 'As we decided to develop our sources from the Vaigai river in Mullipallam, a special scheme was devised at a cost of Rs 52.54 crore, under the Kalaignar Urban Development Fund,' said an official from the Thirumangalam municipality. 'With Mullipallam just 25 kilometres away, the new project has the capacity to supply over 4.3 MLD, which will be plentiful for the next 10 years for the residents of the municipality. We are currently constructing five overhead tanks (OHTs) in the municipality.
New Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Omni bus owners allege illegal tax collection in Tamil Nadu
COIMBATORE: The All Omni Bus Owners and Operators Association alleged on Sunday that transport officers in the state are illegally collecting money from omni bus owners from both Tamil Nadu and other states under the guise of a special tax, despite them already paying the legally mandated road tax. The association's founder, A Pandiyan, stated that a bus with an all-India permit pays a road tax of Rs 90,000 to the central government every three months. Additionally, they pay road tax to their respective state governments based on the number of seats. He said that, according to law, no other taxes are required. Operators are also subjected to long checks at toll gates, causing delays in passenger drop-offs and affecting their business, he said. 'However, officers from the state transport department are collecting money from omni bus owners who are operating inter-state, from other states to Tamil Nadu and vice versa. They are doing so in the name of a special tax. They collect anywhere from `20,000 to `1 lakh, especially on holidays and during festival times,' Pandiyan alleged. Urging Transport Minister SS Sivasankar to intervene and put an end to this illegal practice, the association warned of a larger protest at the state transport department office in Chennai if the issue persists. When contacted, transport and road safety commissioner R Gajalakshmi told TNIE that she would look into this matter.
New Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Mann Ki Baat: Capital talk
Cabinet whispers: Winds of change There is an undercurrent of speculation in political circles, especially around the BJP, that a few long-serving ministers might soon see changes in their roles. The buzz—still firmly in the realm of gossip—suggests that the RSS has nudged the party leadership to rethink the positions of about six ministers who have held the same portfolios across two terms. Some are seen as having delivered little headline-worthy work in their current jobs, though that judgment is always subjective. The BJP, however, isn't keen to drop them entirely as most are considered close to the top brass. So, they may be shifted laterally into organisational roles. Allies, on the other hand, are unlikely to face any change unless they ask for it themselves. For now, the matter remains a quietly evolving story. Mann Ki Baat: Capital talk Since its launch in October 2014, Mann Ki Baat has become a monthly ritual in many Indian homes. What began as a simple radio address by the Prime Minister has grown into a multimedia platform—broadcast on All India Radio, Doordarshan, YouTube, NewsOnAIR, and even overseas through social media and OTT platforms like WAVES. It shares inspiring stories, social messages, and reflections—but beyond content, it has also proven financially successful. Official data shows it has generated Rs 34.13 crore in revenue so far. That this has been achieved without commercial advertising, with the reach and impact to boot, is remarkable. In an age defined by speed and brevity, Mann Ki Baat demonstrates that thoughtful, long-form storytelling can still resonate widely—and even pay its way.
