Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: Railways ready to support K-Rail project with conditions

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THRISSUR: The Indian Railways is prepared to support Kerala's K-Rail project if technical hurdles can be resolved, stated Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during his visit to Thrissur railway station. The minister's remarks followed an evaluation of ongoing and proposed railway projects in Kerala.

Ashwini Vaishnaw's statement came shortly after a meeting in Delhi between him and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, where the K-Rail project was a primary focus. Speaking on the matter, Vaishnaw emphasized that technical and environmental issues need to be addressed before moving forward. "The Centre’s stance is that the project should advance in close collaboration with the state government. Necessary modifications must be made to the project document submitted today," he added.

In addition to discussions on K-Rail, the minister announced several new infrastructure developments aimed at enhancing Kerala's rail network. These include a four-lane road from Bengaluru to Shornur, a three-lane road from Shornur to Ernakulam and an upgrade to three railway lines connecting Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam. The Union Minister assured that land acquisition for these projects would be expedited and a development plan for 35 railway stations across Kerala has already been formulated.

Addressing the long-pending Sabari railway line, Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned that the Kerala government has submitted a set of proposals and expressed readiness to implement the project. He further noted that a formal agreement with Kerala, similar to the railway-government agreements in Maharashtra, is in the works for streamlined project execution.