Railway Ministry sanctions funds for two rail projects in Kerala

The Union Railway Ministry has sanctioned funds for two rail development works in Kerala. An amount of ₹324.16 crore has been sanctioned for the Alappuzha-Ambalapuzha doubling (12.66 km) works, while ₹163.57 crore has been approved for works on the Palakkad Town-Parli bypass line (1.8 km).

According to a statement issued by the Railways, the strategically important work at Alappuzha will remove a critical single-line constraint on the Ernakulam-Turavur-Kayankulam route. Once completed, it will enable nine additional passenger trains per day in each direction, add 2.88 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight capacity, and generate additional annual earnings of ₹3.23 crore. The project is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency by reducing detention for both passenger and freight trains.

Bypass project

The Palakkad bypass project will provide immediate operational and passenger benefits by eliminating engine reversal at Palakkad Junction in Kerala for multiple train services. It reduces average detention of passenger trains by 40-44 minutes and cuts freight detention by up to 120 minutes per train, while also supporting additional passenger services planned from Palakkad Junction.

By streamlining train movements, the bypass is expected to significantly improve punctuality on routes connecting Shoranur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Pollachi, while easing congestion at one of Southern Railway’s busiest junctions.