Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has defended the Railway Board's decision to transfer the Mangaluru railway area from Southern Railway's Palakkad Division to South Western Railway's Mysuru Division, effective October 1, 2026. The minister explained that the current arrangement serves the Mangaluru region through three different entities — Southern Railway, South Western Railway and the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), creating operational inefficiencies. Vaishnaw stated that trains arriving from Goa or Hassan sides must cross multiple operational boundaries and interchange points, leading to avoidable delays, control difficulties and congestion. The minister described this as a routine boundary realignment aimed at reducing operational bottlenecks and improving efficiency. As per Zee News, Vaishnaw held a meeting with MPs from Kerala to review the state's railway infrastructure, with the decision to retain Mangaluru under SWR emerging as a key measure to address long-standing operational issues.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that projects worth more than ₹20,000 crore are currently under execution in Kerala as the state prepares for the next phase of railway expansion. According to reports from Zee News, the ongoing works cover nine multitracking and new-line projects, 145 flyovers and underpasses, and 19 station redevelopment projects, with the focus on building greater capacity and enabling smoother and more efficient railway operations across the state. Vaishnaw stated that several major projects have been sanctioned to strengthen rail capacity, connectivity and network expansion across the state. The minister emphasized that this increase in fund allocation indicates there is a clear roadmap for development of the railway network in Kerala, with the Centre's railway allocation for the state rising to ₹3,795 crore in FY26-27, compared with ₹372 crore in 2014. As per ETInfra, Vaishnaw discussed the matter with Hon'ble CM @vdsatheesan Ji, highlighting the significant increase in allocation.
The future expansion plans include preparation of detailed project reports for more than 800 km of third- and fourth-line augmentation across six sections, aimed at strengthening north-south capacity through Kerala. As reported by Zee News, the sections include Shoranur-Coimbatore (99 km), Mangaluru-Shoranur (307 km), Shoranur-Ernakulam (106 km), Ernakulam-Kayankulam (115 km), Kayankulam-Thiruvananthapuram (105 km) and Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil (71 km). Vaishnaw stated that several major projects have been sanctioned to strengthen rail capacity, connectivity and network expansion across the state, with the focus on building greater capacity and enabling smoother, more efficient railway operations across Kerala.
The sanctioned projects include the 116-km Angamali-Sabarimala new line for ₹3,801 crore, 8-km Ernakulam-Kumbalam doubling at ₹828 crore, 16-km Kumbalam-Thuravur patch doubling at ₹1,171 crore and 5-km Shoranur-Vallathol Nagar patch doubling at ₹367 crore. According to Zee News, the list also includes the 38-km Tirunnavaya-Guruvayur new line at ₹144 crore, 87-km Trivandrum-Kanyakumari doubling at ₹4,509 crore, 21-km Thuravur-Mararikulam doubling at ₹434 crore, 12-km Alappuzha-Ambalapuzha doubling at ₹313 crore and 11-km Mararikulam-Alappuzha doubling at ₹221 crore. The Centre's railway allocation for Kerala has increased to ₹3,795 crore in FY26-27, compared with ₹372 crore in 2014. As per ETInfra, the next phase of railway development includes several major projects like the Angamali-Sabarimala new line, Tirunnavaya-Guruvayur new line, Ernakulam-Kumbalam Doubling and the Alappuzha-Ambalapuzha doubling.
Kerala's railway network has achieved substantial expansion over the last 12 years, including 100 per cent railway electrification and completion of doubling and gauge-conversion projects. According to Zee News, since 2014, six major doubling and gauge-conversion projects covering 670 km have been completed at a total cost of ₹4,316 crore. However, capacity-related works face challenges, with 145 road overbridges and underbridges under construction at ₹4,786 crore, of which 52 projects are delayed, including 34 due to land acquisition issues, 13 due to finalisation of alignments and five due to non-engagement of agencies. Land acquisition remains a key constraint, with only 78 hectares acquired against a total requirement of 618 hectares, leaving 540 hectares still to be acquired. The Railways has already deposited ₹1,976 crore with the Kerala government for land acquisition, with four major projects including the 111-kilometre-long Angamali-Sabarimala new line being delayed due to land acquisition issues. As per ETInfra, the minister noted that issues with land acquisition are creating problems, with four projects being delayed due to the time being taken for land acquisition.
Passenger connectivity has expanded significantly with six Vande Bharat Express services currently operating from or through Kerala, connecting destinations including Mangaluru, Kasaragod, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru. Six Amrit Bharat Express services are also operational, providing long-distance connectivity between Kerala and other parts of the country. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is driving the redevelopment of railway stations across Kerala, with 35 stations being redeveloped at an estimated cost of ₹3,111 crore. As per ETInfra, of these 35 stations, work at 16 stations has been completed, including Thiruvananthapuram, Neyyattinkara, Varkala, Punalur, Kollam Jn (Quilon), Alappuzha, Kayankulam Jn, Ernakulam, and Ernakulam Town. Over the past 12 years, Kerala has achieved 100 per cent electrification of its railway network and completed 131 flyovers and underpasses, while 16 stations have been redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The minister emphasized that the focus is on strengthening the everyday regional connectivity across the state.
