The Indian Railways has listed Irugur–Podanur doubling (10.77 km) at ₹277.42 crore among six major projects across the country to enhance capacity, safety and operational efficiency.
The rail infrastructure projects were approved for eliminating congestion, enhancing line capacity, improving safety systems, and enabling faster, more reliable passenger and freight movement.
One of the most significant developments for Tamil Nadu is the approval for the doubling of the Irugur–Podanur section, a crucial link on the Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram corridor, the Railways has stated. This project, according to the Railways, would enable 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 ₹11.77 crore.
The line capacity utilisation, currently at 60%, will reach 131% by 2027–28 with the expansion.
The Railways has acknowledged urgency and strategic importance of the project, citing the multiple quadruplication projects already completed or under way 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.
Two more projects pertaining to Southern Railway constitute Alappuzha-Ambalapuzha doubling (12.66 km at a cost of ₹324.16 crore) enabling nine additional passenger trains per day in each direction, adding 2.88 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight capacity, and generating additional annual earnings of ₹3.23 crore; and Palakkad Town–Parli Bypass Line (1.80 km at a cost of ₹163.57 crore) that would eliminate engine reversal at Palakkad Junction in Kerala for multiple train services.
It would reduce average detention of passenger trains by 40-44 minutes and cuts freight detention by up to 120 minutes per train, while also supporting additional passenger services planned from Palakkad Junction.
By streamlining train movements, the bypass will significantly improve punctuality on routes connecting Shoranur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Pollachi, while easing congestion.
With timely cooperation from State Governments, these projects will translate into faster journeys, higher freight efficiency, improved safety, and sustained economic growth, the Railways has stated.
Published – February 10, 2026 07:56 pm IST
