Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced a comprehensive redevelopment plan for 35 railway stations in Kerala as part of a larger initiative to upgrade the state’s rail infrastructure. This ambitious project aims to enhance passenger experience and modernize facilities across Kerala.
Vaishnaw revealed that the central government has allocated Rs 3,000 crore for railway development in Kerala—a significant increase compared to the Rs 370 crore invested over the past decade. Key projects include the full reconstruction of Thrissur railway station, supported by a dedicated budget of Rs 393 crore.
Additional infrastructure improvements are also in the pipeline. The government plans to add new lanes along essential rail corridors, including Mangaluru-Shoranur, Shoranur-Palakad-Coimbatore, and Shoranur-Ernakulam, alongside introducing new MEMU trains to boost local services and improve connectivity within the region.
Regarding the Vande Bharat service on the Ernakulam-Alappuzha-Kayamkulam route, Vaishnaw noted that passenger feedback would be assessed to address any concerns, with the possibility of rerouting the service through Kottayam. Additionally, the government is prioritizing the acquisition of 460 hectares for dual-track construction, although only 14% of the required land has been secured so far.
