PM Modi Inaugurates Five Redeveloped Railway Stations and Dedicates Projects Worth ₹750 Crore in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated five redeveloped railway stations in Tamil Nadu and dedicated infrastructure projects valued at approximately ₹750 crore. The stations, upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, are Ambasamudram, Palani, Namakkal, Paramakkudi and Vellore Cantonment.

The inauguration took place at a public event at Kendriya Vidyalaya ground on the IIT-Madras campus in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay shared the dais with the Prime Minister. The five stations, redeveloped at a combined cost of more than ₹70 crore, bring the number of completed Amrit Bharat stations in the state to 26 out of 77 selected.

Ambasamudram station in Tirunelveli district, on the Tirunelveli–Tenkasi section, was redeveloped for ₹13 crore. Palani in Dindigul district cost about ₹20 crore. Namakkal on the Salem–Karur section received ₹17 crore. Paramakkudi in Ramanathapuram district was upgraded for ₹14 crore, and Vellore Cantonment for ₹8 crore. The stations now include improved passenger amenities, accessibility features such as lifts, organised signage and waiting areas whose designs incorporate local art motifs.

The Prime Minister also dedicated the 23-kilometre Karaikal–Peralam railway line, built at a cost of more than ₹550 crore, and three rail flyovers constructed for over ₹120 crore in the Coimbatore area. The new line improves connectivity in the Karaikal region and is expected to support passenger movement and goods traffic. The flyovers are intended to reduce congestion at level crossings and improve road safety.

Southern Railway officials said the upgraded stations will provide modern facilities matched to local needs. Some include spaces for business meetings. The overall programme aims to improve passenger convenience and increase network capacity. The Karaikal–Peralam line strengthens links that facilitate trade and tourism in the region.

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme selects stations for redevelopment according to footfall and strategic importance. In Tamil Nadu, 51 additional stations remain in the pipeline, ranging from major junctions such as Chennai Egmore and Coimbatore Junction to smaller stations. Completion of the five stations on Sunday advances the state’s share of the national programme.

The visit also included the inauguration of a stretch of Chennai Metro Phase II and other infrastructure projects whose total value exceeds ₹13,000 crore, according to state and central announcements. The railway component forms one segment of the broader package focused on connectivity and passenger facilities.

Local art-inspired designs at the five stations are intended to reflect regional culture while meeting functional requirements for accessibility and passenger flow. Divyangjan-friendly lifts and organised signage address practical barriers for elderly and disabled travellers. The dedicated projects are expected to reduce waiting times at crossings and improve reliability on the affected sections.

Further stations under the scheme in Tamil Nadu are at various stages of planning and construction. The completion of these five brings the operational total to 26 and provides a measurable increment in modernised facilities across the Southern Railway network in the state.