New Delhi: Union Railway Minister, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has urged collaborative efforts to expedite land acquisition for key infrastructural projects in Kerala. In a letter to Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinaray Vijayan, the Railway Minister highlighted that delays in acquiring land are significantly hampering the progress of several Rail infra projects.
Three doubling projects and a new rail line project are currently underway in Kerala:
1. Trivandrum – Kanyakumari Doubling Rail line project
2. Ernakulam – Kumbalam Doubling Rail line project
3. Kumbalum – Turavur Doubling Rail line project
4. Angamali – Sabarimala new Rail line project
The Railway Minister stated that these projects are crucial for boosting Rail connectivity and fostering socio-economic growth in the state. With ₹12,350 crores worth of Railway infrastructure projects, the state has received its highest-ever budgetary outlay of ₹3,011 crores for the financial year 2024-25. However, the lack of requisite land has stalled most projects. The letter said that although ₹2,100 crores has been paid to the state for acquiring 470 Ha, only 64 Ha have been handed over.
He emphasised that timely land acquisition is critical to utilising the full potential of these projects and advancing Kerala’s Rail infrastructure. He urged the Kerala state government to expedite the process, ensuring that the benefits of improved connectivity and socio-economic growth reach the people without further delays.
Kerala Rail News