Tamil Nadu Recovers ₹20,325 Crore in Encroached Land, Faces Delays in Railway Projects Over Funding Gaps.

Tamil Nadu has reclaimed 35,654 acres of encroached government land worth ₹20,325 crore over the past four years, Revenue Administration and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran informed the state assembly on Thursday. Among the recovered assets were temple lands retrieved by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department.

However, Ramachandran flagged significant funding gaps in railway projects, stating that the Railways failed to provide funds for acquiring 943.91 hectares out of the 2,197.02 hectares requested. The state government managed to acquire 1,144.84 hectares, but the shortfall has stalled progress on three major projects: the Tiruvannamalai–Tindivanam new broad-gauge line, the second phase of the Tuticorin–Madurai line via Aruppukottai, and the Gati Shakti Multimodal Cargo Terminal. Administrative approvals are in place, but funding is still pending.

“We are speeding up land acquisition for railway and highway projects. But unless funds are allocated, acquisition cannot proceed,” Ramachandran said. “We acquire land for projects where funds are received.”

To tackle land encroachments more effectively, the state has set up monitoring committees at the divisional, district, and state levels. This streamlined system is aimed at improving the efficiency of eviction processes, particularly from water bodies and other public lands.

The government is also working to repurpose reclaimed land from institutions such as the Madras Race Club, Agri-Horticultural Society, and the Ooty Racecourse for public use.

In addition, the state has facilitated airport infrastructure expansion, handing over nearly all of the 468 acres identified for Coimbatore airport and land for Madurai and Tuticorin airports. The revenue department is currently acquiring 50,015 acres under various legislations, including the Industrial Purposes Act, for development projects across the state.

ET