Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses concerns regarding railway infrastructure in Kerala, particularly the Trivandrum-Mangalore segment. Surveys for new railway lines are sanctioned to strengthen the network. Several projects are underway, but land acquisition delays hinder progress, requiring the support of the Government of Kerala. The introduction of new train services, including Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, is ongoing, subject to feasibility and resource availability.
Key Points / Main Content:
**Infrastructure Development:**
* Surveys sanctioned for third and fourth lines on the following routes:
* Mangaluru-Shoranur (308 Km)
* Shoranur-Coimbatore (99 Km)
* Shoranur-Ernakulam (107 Km)
* Ernakulam-Kayankulam (115 Km)
* Kayankulam-Thiruvananthapuram (105 Km)
* Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil (71 Km)
* As of 01.04.2025, 6 projects (2 new lines, 4 doubling) totaling 266 Km are in planning/implementation, with 26 Km commissioned and ₹3,250 crore spent.
* Railway projects are sanctioned based on remunerativeness, traffic projections, connectivity, congestion, state demands, and socio-economic factors.
**Land Acquisition:**
* Delays in land acquisition are hindering project execution in Kerala.
* Out of 476 Ha required, 73 Ha have been acquired, leaving a balance of 403 Ha.
* ₹2,112 crore has been deposited with the Government of Kerala for land acquisition.
* Examples of delayed projects due to land acquisition:
* Angamali-Sabarimala new line (392 Ha balance)
* Ernakulam-Kumbalam Patch Doubling (1 Ha balance)
* Kumbalam-Turavur Patch Doubling (1 Ha balance)
* Trivandrum-Kanyakumari Doubling (5 Ha balance)
* Shoranur-Vallathol Doubling (5 Ha balance)
**Train Services:**
* Currently, 4 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services are operational on the Indian Railway network.
* Between 2022-23 and June 2025, 10 new train services, including 4 Vande Bharat trains, were introduced serving stations in Kerala.
* Introduction of new train services, including Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, is ongoing based on justification, feasibility, and resource availability.
**Impact Analysis:**
**Government of Kerala:**
* Impact: Expected to provide support for land acquisition to facilitate timely project completion.
* Action Required: Expedite land acquisition processes for railway projects, utilizing the deposited ₹2,112 crore.
**Passengers in Kerala:**
* Impact: Potential improvement in railway infrastructure and services, including increased capacity and new train services.
* Action Required: No direct action, but may benefit from advocating for timely project completion through local representatives.
**Ministry of Railways:**
* Impact: Responsible for planning, sanctioning, and executing railway projects in Kerala.
* Action Required: Continue to work with the Government of Kerala to resolve land acquisition issues and prioritize projects based on feasibility and resource availability.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: A state in India where railway infrastructure projects are being planned and implemented.
Shornur Mangalore Railway Line: A railway line segment for which the establishment of third and fourth lines is being considered.
Southern Railway: A zonal railway division of Indian Railways, specifically mentioned in relation to the Shornur-Mangalore line.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India involved in the appraisal of railway projects.
Ministry of Finance: A government ministry involved in approving railway projects.
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail: A type of rapid rail service considered for introduction in Kerala.
Angamali Sabarimala new line: A new railway line project between Angamali and Sabarimala, experiencing delays due to land acquisition.
Trivandrum Kanyakumari Doubling: A railway line doubling project between Trivandrum and Kanyakumari, experiencing delays due to land acquisition.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 512
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
SHORNUR- MANGALORE RAILWAY LINE
512. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:
SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to establish third and fourth
Railway lines in between Trivandrum and Mangalore segment
under Trivandrum and Palakkad division particularly Shornur of
Southern Railway;
(b) if so, the details thereof including timeframe and if not, the
reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government is aware of the inadequacy of the
railway infrastructure in Kerala which is unable to cope with the
increasing demands of the passengers in North Kerala;
(d) if so, the tentative dates of starting the project;
(e) whether the Government plans to introduce Namo Bharat Rapid
Rail service in Kerala; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f): The Government of India is working diligently to strengthen
the railway network in Kerala. To strengthen the railway network
…2/--2-
passing through Kerala, the following surveys have been sanctioned:
SN Route Length
1 Mangaluru – Shoranur 3rd & 4th Line 308 Km
2 Shoranur – Coimbatore 3rd & 4th Line 99 Km
3 Shoranur – Ernakulam 3rd Line 107 Km
4 Ernakulam - Kayankulam 3rd Line 115 Km
5 Kayankulam - Thiruvanathapuram 3rd Line 105 Km
6 Thiruvananthapuram – Nagercoil 3rd Line 71 Km
Railway projects are surveyed/ sanctioned/executed Zonal Railway
wise and not State-wise/UT wise/District wise as the Railway projects
may span across State/UT/District boundaries. Railway projects are
sanctioned on the basis of remunerativeness, traffic projections, last
mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of
congested/saturated lines, demands raised by State Governments,
Central Ministries, Members of Parliament, other public
representatives, Railway’s own operational requirement, socio-
economic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of
ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.
After firming up of Detailed Project Report (DPR), sanctioning of
project requires consultation with various stake-holders including
State Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI
Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As sanctioning of projects is a
continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines cannot be fixed.
…3/--3-
As on 01.04.2025, 06 projects (02 new lines, and 04 Doubling) of total
length of 266 Km, costing ₹9,415 crore, falling fully/partly in the State
of Kerala, are at various stages of planning and implementation, out
of which 26 Km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of
₹3,250 crore has been incurred upto March, 2025. The summary is as
under:-
Category No. of Total Length Expenditure
projects Length Commissioned upto March
(in Km) (in Km) 2025
(₹ in Cr.)
New Line 2 146 0 309
Doubling/ 4 120 26 2,941
Multitracking
Total 6 266 26 3,250
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 73 Ha (15%)
Balance Land to be acquired 403 Ha (85%)
Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however
success depends upon the support of Government of Kerala. Railway
had deposited ₹2112 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
…4/--4-
which are delayed due to land acquisition are as under:-
SN Name of the project Total land Land Balance
required acquired Land to be
(in Ha) (in Ha) acquired
(in Ha)
1. Angamali - Sabarimala new 416 24 392
line (111 Km)
2. Ernakulam – Kumbalam Patch 4 3 1
Doubling (8 Km)
3. Kumbalam - Turavur Patch 10 9 1
Doubling (16 Km)
4. Trivandrum – Kanyakumari 41 36 5
Doubling (87 Km)
5. Shoranur – Vallathol Doubling 5 0 5
(10 Km)
Railway network straddles across State boundaries. Accordingly,
trains are introduced across such boundaries as per network
requirement. Presently, 04 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail train services are
being operated on Indian Railway network. Further, during the period
2022-23 and 2024-25 (till June, 2025), 10 new train services including
04 Vande Bharat train services (on originating/ terminating basis) have
been introduced, serving various stations located in the State of
Kerala. Besides, introduction of train services including Namo Bharat
Rapid Rail train service is an on-going process on Indian Railways,
subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of
resources, etc.
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