Rs.277.42 crore has been approved by the Railway Ministry for the doubling of the Irugur–Podanur section, a crucial link on the Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram corridor.
This project will allow the operation of 15 additional passenger trains per day and increase freight capacity by 3.12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with annual net earnings expected to rise by Rs.11.77 crore.
Currently, line capacity utilization stands at 60%, but with this expansion, it is projected to reach 131% by 2027–28, highlighting the urgency and strategic importance of the project.
With multiple quadruplication projects already completed or underway on adjoining stretches, the doubling of this section will ensure that the entire Chennai–Coimbatore–Podanur belt transforms into a high-capacity, four-line corridor.
This will directly benefit industrial hubs such as Coimbatore, improve terminal operations at Podanur, and support new train services to northern destinations.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L.Murugan previously met Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and had discussed with him about the importance of doubling this section.
As the sanction has been now made, Railways Minister wrote to L.Murugan that the construction for doubling the line is now green lit. As a gesture of gratitude from Tamil Nadu, he met Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today at his parliament office and thanked him.
