Feasibility Study and Budget Boost for Kerala Railway Projects

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced an ongoing feasibility study for the Sabari railway line and a substantial budget allocation for railway projects in Kerala. He addressed the media about new general coaches, tunnel rail connections, and solid waste management. Local officials discussed station improvements and track enhancements.

The Union Railway Ministry is currently conducting a feasibility study and a final location survey of two proposed alignments for the Sabari railway line, according to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Wednesday.

Speaking to the press via video conference from New Delhi, Vaishnav noted that the Union Budget has allocated Rs 3,011 crore for ongoing railway projects in Kerala—an amount he highlighted as being eight times higher than allocations during the UPA regime.

Regarding the Sabari railway line, Vaishnav explained that studies are ongoing on the alignment between Angamaly and Erumeli as well as on another alignment from Chengannur to Pamba. The more feasible option will be chosen for development.

Vaishnav assured that there would be no shortage of funds for railway projects in Kerala and urged the state government to cooperate in acquiring the required 459 hectares of land for track expansion.

He further mentioned that the Detailed Project Report for the tunnel railway connection between Vizhinjam Port and Balaramapuram railway station is under consideration and pending final approval.

To address the high demand for general coaches, Vaishnav announced that 2,500 new general coaches would be introduced this year, with an additional 10,000 planned for the next two to three years.

After Vaishnav's briefing, Dr. Manish Thaplyal, Divisional Railway Manager for Thiruvananthapuram Division, discussed ongoing efforts to develop Amruth stations and improve large railway stations.

He noted that curves on tracks in the Thiruvananthapuram section, where no land acquisition is needed, are being straightened to enhance speed. An automatic signaling system is also being installed between Shoranur and Ernakulam stations.

Dr. Thaplyal addressed issues related to solid waste management, stating that the railways have a robust system in place. Waste from trains and stations is collected, segregated, and handed over to designated agencies for disposal or recycling. Bio-toilets in trains decompose fecal matter using bacteria, leaving only water, which is then treated at a waste water recycling plant in Thiruvananthapuram Central.