In a post on X, the Minister claimed that only 24 per cent of the land required for ongoing railway projects had been handed over to Railways, amounting to 1,052 hectares out of 4,326 hectares, despite Rs 1,465 crore having already been paid to the State towards land acquisition.

Citing delays, Vaishnaw said several projects were held up due to pending land acquisition, including the Madurai–Thoothukudi new line via Aruppukkottai, where 91 per cent of the land was yet to be acquired, and the Tindivanam–Gingee–Tiruvannamalai new line, with 86 per cent of land acquisition pending.

He added that the Rameswaram–Dhanushkodi new line, for which the foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister in 2019, had not seen land acquisition begin due to lack of cooperation from the State.

The Union minister maintained that projects were not stalled for want of funds and said the Centre had sanctioned multiple new lines, doublings and additional lines in Tamil Nadu, with detailed project reports prepared for further capacity expansion.

On Sunday, Stalin had countered the Centre’s claims, stating that 94 per cent of land acquisition had been completed and handed over for 19 ongoing railway projects in the State.

He alleged that funds had not been sanctioned for 931.52 hectares despite administrative approval and sought the release of funds in full and on priority to complete land acquisition and compensation.