NEW DELHI, June 8 — In a major boost to Kerala’s railway infrastructure, Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the 10.65-kilometer Mararikulam–Alappuzha section under Southern Railway at a sanctioned cost of Rs 220.51 crore (approximately $26 million), according to a statement from the Ministry of Railways.
The project is aimed at enhancing line capacity and improving operational efficiency to ensure smoother movement of passenger and freight trains along the busy rail corridor.
“Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the 10.65-km Mararikulam–Alappuzha section of Southern Railway at a sanctioned cost of Rs 220.51 crore,” the ministry said.
The Mararikulam–Alappuzha section is currently the only remaining single-line stretch on the Ernakulam–Kayankulam rail corridor. Expansion work on all other sections has either been completed or is currently underway.
According to the ministry, the project has been approved under an umbrella program covering doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyover, and bypass works designed to augment the capacity of the railway network.
Upon completion, the project is expected to facilitate the operation of nine additional passenger trains in each direction daily and support freight traffic of 2.88 million tons annually.
“The doubling work is also projected to generate additional net earnings of approximately Rs 3.08 crore annually through enhanced passenger and freight movement,” the statement said.
Officials said the project is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency by reducing delays for both passenger and freight trains, resulting in faster and smoother operations along this important route.
The project is also expected to enhance line capacity, improve punctuality, and strengthen regional connectivity.
“The proposal has been identified under Mission 3000 MT and the High-Density Traffic Network Corridor of Indian Railways,” the ministry said. “The project has demonstrated strong economic viability, with a Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) of 3.99% and an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 22.30%.”
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