Voice of Tamil Nadu MPs in Parliament
Tamil Nadu: Since the beginning of the budget session in Parliament, members from Tamil Nadu have raised several issues related to the state in both houses and have posed questions to the central government. Details are as follows:
In the Lok Sabha…
Why the delay in the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway project?
Tamilachi Thangapandian, the member from the South Chennai constituency (DMK), questioned the continuous delays in the ₹341 crore Sriperumbudur-Karapettai project. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, responded: The work on converting the Sriperumbudur-Karapettai section under National Highway 48 into a 6-lane highway is part of the project to convert the Poonamallee-Japettai section into a 6-lane highway. Of the total 34 km, which had previously faced delays due to various reasons, 17.2 km of the expressway has now been completed. A new contract for the remaining distance will be awarded in January 2025 and completed by October. The minister added that the issues that had arisen in the 106 km Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway project have been resolved.
The railway tunnel bridge that never materialized!
T.M. Selvaganapathy, the MP from Salem (DMK), stated, “The people of Chinna Mottur, Arundhathiyar Colony near Jagir Ammapalayam in Salem are demanding the construction of a railway tunnel near the cemetery at Jagir Reddypatti, Salem, across the Salem-Omalur railway line. Although the railway department has accepted this request after many years of waiting, a suitable location has not been identified. Therefore, a railway tunnel should be constructed as a solution to the problems faced by the local people in crossing the railway line.”
Will new stations be added under the UDAN scheme?
DMK members C.N. Annadurai (Tiruvannamalai) and G. In response to a question from Selvam (Kanchipuram) regarding UDAN projects, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said: There is no new airport in Tiruvannamalai or Kanchipuram under the UDAN project. However, in-principle approval has been granted for the Parandur Green Airport in Kanchipuram in 2025. The Minister stated that if the Tamil Nadu government confirms a runway site in Tiruvannamalai under the UDAN project, that project will be considered there.
Will local culture be preserved?
When A. Mani, a member from Dharmapuri (DMK), asked whether the central government had documented heritage sites, rural art heritage, and tribal cultural practices in his constituency under its schemes, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat replied: The Senrayaperumal Temple is located within the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India. Rs. 35.67 lakh has been allocated for the maintenance of the temple in the current financial year 2025-26. The Minister added that the Southern Regional Cultural Centre in Thanjavur takes steps to organize cultural programs in Dharmapuri every year.
In the Rajya Sabha…
Is the central government assisting with menstrual hygiene programs in Tamil Nadu?
According to the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy for school-going girls released in November 2024, we are reviewing the availability of menstrual hygiene products, awareness generation, and environmentally friendly disposal of menstrual waste through the review activities of the National Health Directorate.
Is there a shortage of AYUSH doctors in Erode?
In response to a question raised by DMK member Anthiyur P. Selvaraj, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav said, “Public health is on the State List. In this regard, it is the primary responsibility of the concerned State Government to ensure the availability of AYUSH doctors, pharmacists, and adequate pharmacy infrastructure in all places, including Sathyamangalam, Anthiyur, and Thalavadi in Erode district, and to maintain data on the number of sanctioned posts and the status of vacancies.” According to information provided by the Tamil Nadu government, the posts of AYUSH doctors and pharmacists are being filled as per government norms.
