Lok Sabha Question No. 4364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Railway Infrastructure Projects in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4364 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN KERALA

## 4364.  SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of  RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the status of railway infrastructure development projects, including doubling, electrification and new line projects in Kerala;
- (b) the details of the timeline for the completion of the Sabari Rail Project and the Thalassery-Mysuru rail line;
- (c) whether the Government plans to introduce more Vande Bharat trains  or  other  high-speed  rail  services  in  Kerala,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) the  details  of  steps  being  taken  to  improve  railway  safety, station modernization and passenger amenities in Kerala?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): Railway  projects  are  surveyed/  sanctioned/executed  Zonal Railway wise and not State-wise as the Railways' projects may span across State boundaries. Railway projects are sanctioned on the basis

missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated  lines,  demands  raised  by  State  Governments, Central Ministries, Members of Parliament, other public representatives, Railway's own operational requirement, socioeconomic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.

As on 01.04.2024, 08 projects (02 new lines, and 06 Doubling) of total length of 419 Km, costing ₹12,350 crore, falling fully/partly in the State of  Kerala,  are  at  various  stages  of  planning  and  implementation,  out of which 26 Km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ₹3,046 crore has been incurred upto March, 2024. The summary is as under:-

| Category                |   No. of projects |   Total Length (in Km) |   Length Commissioned (in Km) | Expenditure upto March 2024 (₹ in Cr.)   |
|-------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| New Line                |                 2 |                    146 |                             0 | 304                                      |
| Doubling/ Multitracking |                 6 |                    273 |                            26 | 2,742                                    |
| Total                   |                 8 |                    419 |                            26 | 3,046                                    |

Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala is as under:

| Period   | Outlay                           |
|----------|----------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | ₹372 crore/year                  |
| 2025-26  | ₹3,042 crore (more than 8 times) |

Execution of important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala is held up due to delay in land acquisition. Status of land acquisition in Kerala is as under:

| Total Land required for Projects in Kerala   | 476 Ha       |
|----------------------------------------------|--------------|
| Land Acquired                                | 66 Ha (14%)  |
| Balance Land to be acquired                  | 410 Ha (86%) |

Support of the  Government of Kerala is needed to expedite the land acquisition.

Details  of  some  major  projects  which  are  delayed  due  to  land acquisition are as under:-

| Land acquisition status in major Projects of Kerala   | Land acquisition status in major Projects of Kerala   | Land acquisition status in major Projects of Kerala   | Land acquisition status in major Projects of Kerala   | Land acquisition status in major Projects of Kerala   | Land acquisition status in major Projects of Kerala   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.                                               | Name of Project                                       | Total Status of Land (Ha)                             | Total Status of Land (Ha)                             | Total Status of Land (Ha)                             | Amount deposited with State                           |
|                                                       |                                                       | Total Scope                                           | Total Acquired                                        | Total Pending                                         | govt. (₹ in Cr)                                       |
| 1                                                     | Trivandrum- Kanyakumari Doubling                      | 40                                                    | 33                                                    | 7                                                     | 1312                                                  |
| 2                                                     | Eranakulam- Kumbalam Doubling                         | 4                                                     | 2                                                     | 2                                                     | 262                                                   |
| 3                                                     | Kumbalam-Turavur Doubling                             | 10                                                    | 6                                                     | 4                                                     | 248                                                   |
| 4                                                     | Angamali - Sabarimala new line                        | 416                                                   | 24                                                    | 392                                                   | 282                                                   |

Government  of  India  is  geared  up  to  execute  projects,  however success depends upon the support of Government of Kerala.

100% BG network in the State of Kerala has been electrified.

The completion of any Railway project depends on various factors like quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forest  clearance  by officials  of  forest  department,  deposition  of  cost  share  by  State Government  in  cost  sharing  projects,  priority  of  projects,  shifting  of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climate conditions etc.

## Angamali-Sabarimala New Line Project:

Angamali-Sabarimala via Erumeli new line project was sanctioned in 1997-98.  Work  on  Angamali-Kaladi  (7  Km)  and  long  lead  works  on Kaladi-Perumbavoor (10 Km) was taken up. However, further works on this project could  not  be   taken   forward  due  to  protests  by  local people  against  land  acquisition  and  fixing  of  alignment  of  the  line, court cases filed against the project and inadequate support from the State Government of Kerala.

The estimated cost of the project has been updated by M/s Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL) at ₹3801 crore and submitted to Government of Kerala in December, 2023 for the acceptance of the estimate and willingness to share cost of the project. The Government of  Kerala  has  communicated  their  willingness  to  share  the  cost  of project with certain conditions in August, 2024. Government of Kerala

has  been  requested  by  Railway  to  submit  unconditional  consent  for sharing the Cost. The Government of Kerala has also been requested to  enter  into  tripartite  MoU  among  State  Government  of  Kerala, Ministry of Railways and RBI for the Project.

## Thalassery-Mysore New Line Project (200 Km):

The Survey for Thalassery-Mysore New Line was conducted. However, in  view  of  the  objection  from  the  local  public,  the  Government  of Karnataka  has  raised  objection  regarding  the  alignment  passing through Karnataka area. Moreover, this alignment passes through the forest and the eco-sensitive zones. The survey for fixing  new alignment has been taken up.

## Vande Bharat Trains:-

Railway  network  straddles  across  State  boundaries.  Accordingly, trains are introduced across such boundaries as per network requirement.  Presently,  04  Vande  Bharat  trains  viz.  20631/20632 Mangaluru  Central-Thiruvananthapuram  Vande  Bharat  Express  and 20633/20634  Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram  Vande  Bharat  Express, on originating/terminating basis, are catering to the needs of various stations located in the State of Kerala.

Besides,  introduction  of  new  train  services,  including  Vande  Bharat services, is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

## Safety:

Following  measures  have  been  taken  by  Indian  Railways  to  upgrade railway tracks which result in improving railway safety:

- i. Modern track structure  consisting  of  60kg,  90  Ultimate  Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Pre-stressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide  base  sleepers  with  elastic  fastening,  fan-shaped layout  turnout  on  PSC  sleepers,  Steel  Channel/H-beam  Sleepers on  girder  bridges  have  been  used  while  carrying  out  primary track renewals.
- ii. The Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossing have been
3. used in turnout renewal works.
- iii. Supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  has  been  increased  to avoid welding of joints, thereby improving safety.
- iv. Adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e.  Flash  Butt Welding.
- v. Adoption of mechanized system for track maintenance using high output plain tampers and points & crossing tampers for improved maintainability & reliability of track.
- vi. Deployment  of  state-of-the-art  modern  machines  including  Rail Grinding machines manufactured in India on Railway network to further improve asset reliability.
- vii. Mechanisation  of  track  laying  activity  through  use  of  track machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc.
- viii. Interlocking of Level Crossing (LC) Gates for enhancing safety at LC gates.

- ix. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.
- x. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).

Safety is accorded the highest priority on Indian Railways. The various safety  measures  taken  to  enhance  safety  in  train  operations  are  as under:-

1. On  Indian  Railways,  the  expenditure  on  Safety  related  activities has increased over the years as under:

in Cr.)

| Expenditure on Safety related activities ( ₹   | Expenditure on Safety related activities ( ₹   | Expenditure on Safety related activities ( ₹   | Expenditure on Safety related activities ( ₹   | Expenditure on Safety related activities ( ₹   | in Cr.)    |
|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------|
|                                                | 2013-14 (Act.)                                 | 2022-23 (Act.)                                 | 2023-24 (Act.)                                 | RE 2024-25                                     | BE 2025-26 |
| Maintenance of Permanent Way & Works           | 9172                                           | 18,115                                         | 20,322                                         | 21,800                                         | 23,316     |
| Maintenance of Motive Power and Rolling Stock  | 14796                                          | 27,086                                         | 30,864                                         | 31,540                                         | 30,666     |
| Maintenance of Machines                        | 5406                                           | 9,828                                          | 10,772                                         | 12,112                                         | 12,880     |
| Road Safety LCs and ROBs/ RUBs                 | 1986                                           | 5,347                                          | 6,662                                          | 8,184                                          | 7,706      |
| Track Renewals                                 | 4985                                           | 16,326                                         | 17,850                                         | 22,669                                         | 22,800     |
| Bridge Works                                   | 390                                            | 1,050                                          | 1,907                                          | 2,130                                          | 2,169      |
| Signal & Telecom Works                         | 905                                            | 2,456                                          | 3,751                                          | 6,006                                          | 6,800      |

...8/-

| Workshops Incl. PUs and expenditure Safety   | 1823   | 7,119   | 9,523    | 9,581    | 10,134   |
|----------------------------------------------|--------|---------|----------|----------|----------|
| Misc. on                                     |        |         |          |          |          |
| Total                                        | 39,463 | 87,327  | 1,01,651 | 1,14,022 | 1,16,470 |

2. Electrical/Electronic Interlocking Systems with centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  have  been  provided  at  6,623 stations  up  to  28.02.2025  to  eliminate  accident  due  to  human failure.
3. Interlocking  of  Level  Crossing  (LC)  Gates  has  been  provided  at 11,089 level Crossing Gates up to 28.02.2025 for enhancing safety at LC gates.
4. Complete  Track  Circuiting  of  stations  to  enhance  safety  by verification  of  track  occupancy  by  electrical  means  has  been provided at 6,631 stations up to 28.02.2025.
5. Kavach  is  a  highly  technology  intensive  system,  which  requires safety  certification  of  highest  order.  Kavach  was  adopted  as  a National ATP system in July 2020. Kavach is provided progressively in phased manner. Kavach has already been deployed  on  1548  RKm  on  South  Central  Railway  and  North Central  Railway.    Presently,  the  work  is  in  progress  on  DelhiMumbai  and  Delhi-Howrah  corridors  (approximately  3000  Route Km). Track side works on these routes have been completed on about 2066 RKm. Regular trials are being done on these sections.
6. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Signalling e.g. mandatory correspondence  check,  alteration  work  protocol,

- preparation of completion drawing, etc. have been issued.
- System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment as
7. per protocol has been re-emphasized.
8. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD)
- to improve alertness of Loco Pilots.
9. Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast which is located two OHE  masts prior to the signals in electrified territories to alert the crew about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather.
10. A GPS based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is provided to loco pilots in fog affected areas which enables loco pilots to know the distance of  the  approaching  landmarks  like  signals,  level  crossing  gates etc.
11. Modern  track  structure  consisting  of  60kg,  90  Ultimate  Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Prestressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide  base  sleepers  with  elastic  fastening,  fanshaped layout turnout on PSC sleepers, Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges is used while carrying out primary track renewals.
12. Mechanisation  of track laying activity  through  use of track
- machines like PQRS, TRT, T-28 etc to reduce human errors.
13. Maximizing  supply  of  130m/260m  long  rail  panels  for  increasing progress  of  rail  renewal  and  avoiding  welding  of  joints,  thereby improving safety.
14. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails.

15. Laying  of  longer  rails,  minimizing  the  use  of  Alumino  Thermic Welding  and  adoption  of  better  welding  technology  for  rails  i.e. Flash Butt Welding.
16. Monitoring  of  track  geometry  by  OMS  (Oscillation  Monitoring System) and TRC (Track Recording Cars).
17. Patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures.
18. The  use  of  Thick  Web  Switches  and  Weldable  CMS  Crossing  in turnout renewal works.
19. Inspections  at  regular  intervals  are  carried  out  to  monitor  and educate staff for observance of safe practices.
20. Web  based  online  monitoring  system  of  track  assets  viz.  Track database and decision support system has been adopted to decide rationalized maintenance requirement and optimize inputs.
21. Detailed  instructions  on  issues  related  with  safety  of  Track  e.g. integrated block, corridor block, worksite safety, monsoon precautions etc. have been issued.
22. Preventive maintenance of railway assets (Coaches & Wagons) is
9. undertaken to ensure safe train operations.
23. Replacement of conventional ICF design coaches with LHB design
11. coaches is being done.
24. All unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route have been eliminated by January 2019.
25. Safety of Railway Bridges is ensured through regular inspection of Bridges. The  requirement  of  repair / rehabilitation  of   Bridges  is

taken  up  based  upon  the  conditions  assessed  during  these inspections.

26. Indian Railways has displayed Statutory 'Fire Notices' for widespread passenger information in all coaches. Fire posters are provided  in  every  coach  so  as  to  educate  and  alert  passengers regarding  various  Do's  and  Don'ts  to  prevent  fire.  These  include messages regarding not carrying any inflammable material, explosives,  prohibition  of  smoking  inside  the  coaches,  penalties etc.
27. Production  Units  are  providing  Fire  detection  and  suppression system in newly manufactured Power Cars and Pantry Cars, Fire and  Smoke  detection  system  in  newly  manufactured  coaches. Progressive  fitment  of  the  same  in  existing  coaches  is  also underway by Zonal Railways in a phased manner.
28. Regular counselling and training of staff is undertaken.
29. Concept  of  Rolling  Block  introduced  in  Indian  Railways  (Open Lines) General Rules vide Gazette  notification dated 30.11.2023, wherein  work  of  integrated  maintenance/  repair/replacement  of assets is planned up to 52 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan.

The details of the Safety related works related to better maintenance and practices, Technological improvements, better infrastructure rolling stock etc. undertaken by Railways are tabulated below:-

| SN   | Item                                                      | 2004-05 to 2013-14                      | 2014-15 to 2024-25 ( till Jan 25)       | 2014-25 Vs. 2004-14                     |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
|      | Technological improvements                                | Technological improvements              | Technological improvements              | Technological improvements              |
| 1    | Use of high-quality rails (60 Kg) (Km)                    | 57,450 km                               | 1.4 lakh km                             | More than 2 times                       |
| 2    | Longer Rail Panels (260m) (Km)                            | 9,917 km                                | 76,000 km                               | More than 7 times                       |
| 3    | Electronic Interlocking (Stations)                        | 837 stations                            | 3,243 stations                          | 4 times                                 |
| 4    | Fog Pass Safety Devices (Nos.)                            | As on 31.03.14: 90 nos.                 | As on 31.01.25: 25,293                  | 281 times                               |
| 5    | Thick Web Switches (Nos.)                                 | Nil                                     | 27,079 nos.                             |                                         |
|      | Better maintenance practices                              | Better maintenance practices            | Better maintenance practices            | Better maintenance practices            |
| 1    | PrimaryRail Renewal (Track Km)                            | 32,260 km                               | 49,000 km                               | 1.5 times                               |
| 2    | USFD (Ultra Sonic Flaw detection) Testing of Welds (Nos.) | 79.43 lakh                              | 1.9 crore                               | More than 2 times                       |
| 3    | Weld failures (Nos.)                                      | In 2013-14: 3699 nos.                   | In 2024-25: 301 nos.                    | 92 % reduction                          |
| 4    | Rail fractures (Nos.)                                     | In 2013-14: 2548 nos.                   | In 2024-25: 243 nos.                    | 91% reduction                           |
|      | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock                   | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock | Better infrastructure and Rolling stock |
| 1    | New Track KM added (Track km)                             | 14,985 nos.                             | 34,000 km                               | More than 2 times                       |
| 2    | Flyovers (RoBs)/ Underpasses (RUBs) (Nos.)                | 4,148 nos.                              | 12,771 nos.                             | More than 3 times                       |

|   3 | Unmanned Level crossings ( nos.) on BG   | As on 31.03.14: 8948   | As on 31.03.24: Nil (All eliminated by 31.01.19)   | Removed            |
|-----|------------------------------------------|------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|--------------------|
|   4 | Manufacture of LHB Coaches (Nos.)        | 2,337 nos.             | 41,551                                             | More than 17 times |

All Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLCs) on the running lines of Broad Gauge (BG) network of Indian Railways have been eliminated.

## Station Re-development:

Development/upgradation of stations on Indian Railways is a continuous and ongoing process and works in this regard are undertaken  as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability of funds.  The  priority  for  development/upgradation  of stations is accorded to higher category of station over lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the works.

Ministry  of  Railways  has  launched  'Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme'  for development  of  Railway  stations  on  Indian  Railways.  This  scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a longterm  approach.  It  involves  preparation  of  master  plans  and  their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement  of  station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, platform surfacing and cover over platform,  cleanliness,  free  Wi-Fi,  kiosks  for  local  products  through schemes like 'One Station  One Product', better  passenger information ...14/-

systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings. landscaping, etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.

The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating  the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision  of  ballastless  tracks,  etc.  as  per  necessity,  phasing  and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in the long term.

So far, 1337 stations have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat  Station  Scheme,  out  of  which  35  stations  are  located  in  the state  of  Kerala.  The  names  of  stations  identified  for  development under  Amrit  Bharat  Station  Scheme  in  the  state  of  Kerala  are  as following:

| State   |   No. of Amrit Stations | Names of Amrit Stations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|---------|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Kerala  |                      35 | Alappuzha, Angadippuram, Angamali For Kaladi, Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chengannur, Chirayinikil, Ernakulam, Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Ferok, Guruvayur, Kannur, Kasargod, Kayankulam, Kollam, Kozhikode, Kuttippuram, Mavelikara, Neyyatinkara, Nilambur Road, Ottappalam, Parappanangadi, Payyanur, Punalur, Shoranur Jn., Thalassery, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrisur, Tirur, Tiruvalla, Tripunithura, Vadakara, Varkala, Wadakancheri |

Development / upgradation / modernisation of stations including under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is generally funded under Plan Head-53 'Customer Amenities'. The details of allocation and expenditure under Plan Head-53 are maintained Zonal Railway-wise and not work-wise or station-wise  or  state-wise.  The  state  of  Kerala  is  covered  under Southern  Railway.  For  the  zone,  an  allocation  of  ₹1,098  Crores (Revised Estimate) has been made for the financial year 2024-25 under Plan Head-53.

There is a well established system of inspection of railway bridges on Indian  Railways.  All  the  railway  bridges  are  inspected  twice  a  year, one before the onset of monsoon and one detailed inspection after the monsoon. In addition, certain railway bridges are also inspected more frequently  depending  upon  their  condition.  Repair  /strengthening  / rehabilitation  /  rebuilding  of  railway  bridges  is  a  continuous  process and is undertaken whenever so warranted by their physical condition as ascertained during these inspections.

Kerala  is  covered  under  Southern  Railway.  During  last  three  year, 5,405 nos of railway bridges were repaired/rehabilitated/strengthened /rebuild in Indian Railway which include 274 nos of railway bridges in Southern Railway.

## Passenger Amenities:

Provision of Passenger amenities at Railway stations depend upon the category of station. Improvement  of  passenger  amenities  at  railway

...16/-

stations  in  Indian  Railways  is  a  continuous  and  on-going  process depending  upon  need,  volume  of  the  passenger  traffic  and  inter-se priority  of works, subject to availability of funds. Further, at present, modernization  of  stations  is  being  taken  up  under  'Amrit  Bharat Station Scheme'.

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