**Executive Summary**
This document details significant railway development in Kerala, highlighting a substantial increase in the railway budget for 2026-27, projected at over ₹3,795 crore. It also covers the sanctioning of 138 Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges at a cost of ₹4,835 crore and the redevelopment of 11 Amrit Bharat Stations. Key deadlines and actions are implicitly linked to the ongoing project timelines and land acquisition processes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Increased Budget Allocation:**
* Kerala's railway budget for 2026-27 is projected to exceed ₹3,795 crore, more than ten times the average annual outlay of ₹372 crore during 2009-14.
* Budget allocation for infrastructure and safety works has significantly increased in recent years.
* **Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges (ROBs/RUBs):**
* 138 ROBs/RUBs have been sanctioned in Kerala at a cost of ₹4,835 crore.
* 106 ROBs/RUBs are facing delays, primarily due to land acquisition issues (38), finalization of alignment (63), law & order/protests/court cases (2), and agencies yet to be fixed (3).
* National progress shows 14,024 ROBs/RUBs constructed between 2014-25, including 121 in Kerala.
* **Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme:**
* 35 out of 1337 identified stations nationally are in Kerala for development.
* 11 stations in Kerala have been completed under this scheme: Angamali for Kaladi, Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chirayinkeezh, Ferok, Kuttippuram, Nilambur Road, Shoranur Jn., Tripunithura, Vadakara, Wadakancheri.
* Development activities are ongoing at other stations, including Angadippuram, Guruvayur, Parappanangadi, Payyanur, and Tirur.
* Master planning for station development includes improvements to access, integration, building, passenger facilities, and sustainable solutions.
* **Ongoing and Completed Projects:**
* Six ongoing projects (two new lines, four doubling) of 266 km length costing ₹9,415 crore are sanctioned in Kerala.
* Expenditure on these ongoing projects up to March 2025 is ₹3,250 crore.
* Several projects have been recently completed, including gauge conversion and doubling works.
* Numerous other projects are in progress, encompassing new lines and doubling/patch doubling works with substantial costs.
* **Land Acquisition Status:**
* Execution of important infrastructure projects is being held up due to delays in land acquisition.
* A total of 476 ha of land is required for projects in Kerala, with only 65 ha (14%) acquired so far, leaving 411 ha (86%) to be acquired.
* Railway has deposited ₹1,975 crore for land acquisition to the Government of Kerala, and support is needed to expedite the process.
* Specific major projects like Angamali-Sabarimala new line and Ernakulam-Kumbalam doubling are delayed due to land acquisition issues.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Government of Kerala**
* **Impact:** Delays in land acquisition and finalization of alignment by the State Government are directly impacting the progress and completion timelines of crucial railway infrastructure projects and ROBs/RUBs. The State's support is critical for expediting these works.
* **Action Required:** Expedite land acquisition processes, finalize alignment for projects, and cooperate in granting consents for closure of Level Crossings and shifting of infringing utilities.
* **Southern Railway**
* **Impact:** Southern Railway is responsible for project execution and is experiencing delays in sanctioned projects, including ROBs/RUBs and station redevelopment, due to external factors such as land acquisition. Revenue and expenditure data for Southern Railway show increasing expenditure over recent financial years.
* **Action Required:** Continue joint surveys with State Government/Road Owning Authorities, hold periodic meetings to resolve issues, and implement standardized drawings for ROBs/RUBs to expedite design approval.
* **Railways (Ministry of Railways)**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is driving significant infrastructure development in Kerala, with substantial budget allocations and project sanctions. However, the pace of execution is influenced by external dependencies, particularly land acquisition by the State Government.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor project progress, engage with State Governments to address bottlenecks, and ensure availability of funds for ongoing and planned projects.
* **Public / Commuters in Kerala**
* **Impact:** The delays in project completion, especially for ROBs/RUBs and station redevelopment, will affect the public's access to improved infrastructure and safety. Commuters will experience continued delays and potential safety hazards at railway crossings.
* **Action Required:** No direct action is specified for the public in this document, but they are the ultimate beneficiaries of expedited project completion.
Key Entities Referenced
Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme: A scheme focused on the preparation and phased implementation of master plans to improve railway stations.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for India's railway system.
Southern Railway: The railway zone that covers Kerala and is responsible for revenue generation and expenditure in the region.
Kerala: The specific geographical location central to the policy's scope and impact, particularly regarding railway budget and infrastructure projects.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Union Minister for Railways who provided information regarding railway projects in a reply to questions in Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Railways
Kerala’s Railway Budget Crosses ₹3,795 Crore in
2026–27, Over 10 Times the ₹372 Crore Annual
Outlay During 2009–14
138 ROBs/RUBs Sanctioned in Kerala at Cost of ₹4,835 Crore
as of Feb 1, 2026
11 of Kerala’s 35 Amrit Bharat Stations Now Redeveloped;
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Inaugurates Shoranur,
Kuttippuram and Changanassery Stations Today
Posted On: 11 MAR 2026 8:32PM by PIB Delhi
(a) Railway Revenue/Earning is maintained zone wise and not State-wise. Kerala is covered under the
jurisdiction of Southern Railway. The Revenue generated and total expenditure incurred by Southern
Railway during the last five years are as under:
(₹ in crore)
Financial Year Earning Total Expenditure
2020-21 (Covid Year) 4,043 14,821
2021-22 (Covid Year) 7,094 21,423
2022-23 9,967 22,873
2023-24 11,286 26,505
2024-25 11,628 29,225
Budget allocation:
Budget allocation in the recent years has increased significantly in Kerala. Budget allocation for
infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala is as under:-Period Outlay
2009-14 ₹ 372 crore/year
2025-26 ₹ 3,042 crore (more than 8 time)
2026-27 ₹ 3,795 crore (more than 10 times)
Ongoing projects:
As on 01.04.2025, 06 projects (02 new line and 04 doubling) of 266 km length, costing ₹9,415
crore falling fully/partly in Kerala have been sanctioned. The summary is as under:-
Category No. of Total Length Balance to Expenditure upto
projects Length Commissioned complete March 2025
(₹ in crore)
New line 02 146 km 0 km 146 km 309
Doubling 04 120 km 26 km 94 km 2,941
/multitracking
Total 06 266 km 26 km 240 km 3,250
Recently completed projects:
Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in Kerala are as under:
S.No. Project Cost
(₹ in crore)
1 Dindigul-Pollachi-Palghat & Pollachi-Coimbatore gauge conversion (217 km) 1,360
2 Quilon-Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur gauge conversion (357 km) 1,122
3 Mulanturutti-Kuruppantara doubling (24 km) 303
4 Chenganur-Chingavanam doubling (27 km) 436
5 Ambalapuzha-Haripad doubling (18 km) 346
6 Kurruppanthara-Chingavanam doubling (27 km) 749
Projects:
Some of the projects falling fully/partly in Kerala which have been taken up are as under:S.No. Project Cost
(₹ in crore)
1 Tirunnavaya –Guruvayur new line (35 Km) 138
2 Angamali-Sabarimala new line (111 km) 3,801
3 Ernakulam-Kumbalamdoubling (8 km) 595
4 Kumbalam-Thuravur Patch doubling (16 km) 803
5 Trivandrum- Kanyakumari doubling (87 km) 3,786
6 Shoranur - Vallathol doubling (10 km) 367
7 Palakkad Town – Parli bypass line (2 Km) 164
8 Alappuzha- Ambalapuzha doubling (13 Km) 324
9 Turavur – Mararikulam doubling (21 Km) 451
Land acquisition status:
Execution of important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala are held up
due to delay in land acquisition. Status of land acquisition in the State of Kerala is as under:
Total Land required for Projects in Kerala 476 ha
Land Acquired 65 ha (14%)
Balance Land to be acquired 411 ha (86%)
Railway had deposited ₹1,975 crore for land acquisition to Government of Kerala. Support of the
Government of Kerala is needed to expedite the land acquisition. For instance, details of some major
projects which are delayed due to land acquisition are as under:-
S.No. Name of the project Total land Land Balance Land to be
required acquired acquired
(in Ha) (in Ha) (in Ha)
1. Angamali - Sabarimala new line 416 24 392
(111 km)
2. Ernakulam – Kumbalam Patch 4 3 1
doubling (8 km)3. Kumbalam – Turavur Patch 10 9 1
doubling (16 km)
4. Shoranur - Vallathol doubling (10 5 0 5
km)
Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however success depends upon the support
of Government of Kerala.
Road Over Bridges (ROBs)/Road Under Bridges (RUBs):
As on 01.02.2026, 138 Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges (ROBs/RUBs) across railways
tracks have been sanctioned at a cost of ₹ 4,835 crore in the State of Kerala which are at various
stages of planning and execution.
A total of 106 Nos. ROBs/RUBs are delayed on account of the State Govt. The details are as under:
S.No. Reason ROBs/RUBs
(in No.)
1. Delay in Land Acquisition by State Govt. 38
2. Finalization of Alignment by State Govt. 63
3. Law & order/ Public Protest/Court cases etc. 2
4. Agency yet to be fixed 3
Completion & commissioning of ROBs/RUBs works depends on various factors like cooperation
of State Governments in giving consent for closure of LC, fixing of approach alignment,
approval of General Arrangement Drawing (GAD), land acquisition, removal of encroachment,
shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, law and order
situation in the area of project / work sites, duration of working season in a year for the particular
project / area due to climatic conditions etc. All these factors affect the completion time of the
projects / works.
Railways have taken following measures to expedite the progress of ROB/RUB works:
i. Joint survey with concerned State Govt./Road Owning Authority is done
before finalizing the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) to ensure smooth
execution.
ii. Periodic meetings of Railway & State Government officials are done to
resolve various issues related to ROB/RUB works.
iii. Standardization of superstructure drawings for various combinations of
span, skewness and width of road on Railway portion has been done to avoid
delays during the design approval. This has been issued in the form ofcompendium, which can be directly adopted for Road Over Bridge across
Railway lines for expeditious planning.
National level progress of ROBs/RUBs:
Nos. of ROBs/ RUBs constructed on Indian Railways during the period 2004-14 vis a vis 2014-25
(Jan’26) is as under:
Period ROBs/ RUBs constructed
2004-14 4,148 Nos.
2014-25 (Jan’26) 14,024 Nos. (including 121 Nos. in the State of Kerala)
Amrit Bharat Stations:
The scheme involves preparation of master plans and their implementation in phases to improve
the stations. The master planning includes:
· Improvement of access to station and circulating areas
· Integration of station with both sides of city
· Improvement of station building
· Improvement of waiting halls, toilets, sitting arrangement, water booths
· Provision of wider foot over bridge/air concourse commensurate with
passenger traffic
· Provision of lift/escalators/ramp
· Improvement /Provision of platform surface and cover over platforms
· Provision of kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One
Product’
· Parking areas, Multimodal integration
· Amenities for Divyangjans
· Better passenger information systems
· Provision of executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings,
landscaping, etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.
The scheme also envisages sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless
tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in the
long term.
So far, 1337 stations have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, out
of which 35 stations are located in Kerala. The names of stations identified for development under
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Kerala are as following:
State No. of Name of Stations
StationsKerala 35 Alappuzha, Angadippuram, Angamali For Kaladi,
Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chengannur, Chirayinkeezh,
Ernakulam, Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Ferok,
Guruvayur, Kannur, Kasargod, Kayankulam Jn, Kollam
Jn, Kozhikode, Kuttippuram, Mavelikara, Neyyattinkara,
Nilambur Road, Ottappalam, Parappanangadi, Payyanur,
Punalur, Shoranur Jn., Thalassery, Thiruvananthapuram
Central, Thrisur, Tirur, Tiruvalla, Tripunithura, Vadakara,
Varkala Shivagiri, Wadakancheri
Completed stations:
Development works at railway stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in Kerala have been taken
up at a good pace. Till now, work of following 11 stations has been completed under this scheme:
State No. of Name of Stations
Stations
Kerala 11 Angamali for Kaladi, Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chirayinkeezh, Ferok,
Kuttippuram, Nilambur Road, Shoranur Jn., Tripunithura, Vadakara,
Wadakancheri
अमृत भारत ेशन म के तहत षोणूर जंक्शन, कु ुरम और चंगनाेरी रल वे ेशन को आधुनक
बनाया गया ह: माननीय प्रधानमंी ी @narendramodi जी pic.twitter.com/PRqOb9dEB3
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 11, 2026
The activities for development at other stations have also been taken up at good pace and progress of
some of the stations is as given below:
i. Angadippuram station: The works of porch in first entry, platform shelter,
platform surfacing of platform no. 1 & 2, concourse, booking office, waiting hall, toilet,
improvement of circulating area, parking and approach road of first entry, coach indication
board, train indication board and signages have been completed. The works of Divyangjan
facilities, lift and 6 m Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.
ii. Guruvayur station: The works of platform shelter, improvement of concourse,
circulating area and parking have been completed. The works of improvement of station
building, entrance arch, booking office, waiting hall, new retiring room, Divyangjan facilities
and Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.
iii. Parappanangadi station: The works of porch, platform shelter, platform
surfacing, improvement of concourse, booking office, waiting area at platform no. 1, toilet,
circulating area at first entry, parking at second entry, lift, coach indication board and train
indication board have been completed. The work of Divyangjan facilities has been taken up.
iv. Payyanur station: The works of porch, platform shelter,raising of platform no. 2
& 3, improvement of concourse, booking office, waiting hall, circulating area at second entry,
parking, coach indication board and train indication board have been taken up. The works ofimprovement of station building, circulating area at first entry, Divyangjan facilities, lift and 6
m Foot Over Bridge have been taken up.
v. Tirur station: The works of improvement of station building, porch at first
entry, concourse, raising and platform surfacing of platform no. 1, platform shelter, booking
office, toilet, improvement of retiring room, improvement to circulating area at first
entry,parking at second entry, lift, signages, improvement of Foot Over Bridge, coach
indication board, train indication board, lift and escalator at second entry have been completed.
The works of circulating area at second entry, parking at first entry and Divyangjan facilities
have been taken up.
Further, development / redevelopment / upgradation / modernisation of stations on Indian
Railways is a continuous and ongoing process and works in this regard are undertaken as per
requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability of funds. Development / redevelopment /
upgradation / modernisation of a station is carried out based on category of station/condition/traffic
handled etc.
Further, Sanctioning of any railway project depends upon many parameters/factors which include
the following:
i. Anticipated traffic projections and remunerativeness of the
proposed route
ii. First and last mile connectivity provided by the project
iii. Connection of missing links and providing additional route
iv. Augmentation of congested/saturated lines
v. Demands raised by State Governments/Central
Ministries/Public representatives
vi. Railway’s own operational requirements
vii. Socio-economic considerations
viii. Overall availability of funds
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include the following:
i. Land acquisition by State Government
ii. Forest clearance
iii. Shifting of infringing utilities
iv. Statutory clearances from various authorities
v. Geological and topographical conditions of area
vi. Law and order situation in the area of project site
vii. Number of working months in a year for particular project site
etc.
All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and
Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to questions in Lok Sabha
today.*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Manik Sharma
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