MADURAI: Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI), Madurai has urged the government to expedite Madurai-Thoothukudi via Aruppukottai railway project. During the railway budget 2011-2012, a new broad gauge railway line was approved from Madurai to Thoothukudi via Aruppukottai.

This would allow more cargo trains to go to Thoothukudi seaport, and encourage trade and industrial growth in Aruppukottai areas, which are lagging in trade and industrial development, N Jegatheesan, president of TNCCI Madurai said on Tuesday.

There also will be rail connectivity between Thoothukudi and major western ports including Kochi or Mangalore. However, the work is progressing at a disappointingly slow pace as only a very small fund was allocated in the budget.

Further, he said similarly, the Kanniyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram doubling BG line project is slated for completion by December 2025, and this project must be completed within the stipulated time frame without any delays.