Union Minister for Railways, IT, and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced in Kozhikode a transformative investment of Rs 3,000 crore to enhance railway services in Kerala and reaffirms commitment to realise Sabari rail. This major allocation aims to boost rail connectivity, modernize stations, and upgrade infrastructure, delivering world-class amenities on par with airports for superior travel experience.
The minister also revealed plans to establish IT hubs near railway stations in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, with five acres of land already proposed for the Kozhikode hub. Additionally, 35 railway stations in Kerala will undergo reconstruction and renovation, and three bullet trains will soon be operational in Dakshin Bharat, following a successful trial run. However, Vaishnaw expressed regret over the Kerala state government’s lack of cooperation.
He made these remarks while addressing a distinguished audience at the inauguration of the golden jubilee celebrations of Janmabhumi, the Malayalam daily inspired by the RSS.
‘Janmabhumi’ MD M. Radhakrishnan, GM K.B. Sreekumar, former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan, Union Minister George Kurien, Golden Jubilee Celebrations Committee Chairperson and Olympian P.T. Usha MP, RSS Uttar Kerala Pranth Sanghchalak Adv. K.K. Balaram, former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, daily editor K.N.R. Nambootiri, and former editor P. Narayanan addressed the gathering.
The Minister stated that the Union government has allocated ₹2,100 crore to Kerala for land acquisition to support railway development. Plans include track doubling and the creation of railway stations with modern facilities that will preserve the heritage look and local culture. These new stations aim to provide standards and amenities comparable to those at airports.
Earlier, the Railway Minister visited Thrissur Railway Station, where he mentioned that the Union Railway Ministry has given specific instructions to the state government regarding the Sabari Rail project.
Speaking to the media, he announced that the Modi government has allocated Rs 393 crore for the renovation of Thrissur Railway Station. The Kerala government has communicated its readiness to the Union government for implementing the Sabari Rail project. The Minister added that the Railway Ministry has signed an agreement with the Maharashtra government, and a similar contract is planned for Kerala to facilitate the Sabari Railway. He also highlighted several additional railway projects planned for Kerala.
The Minister addressed the controversial K-Rail project (The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) proposed by the Kerala government, noting that it faces technical and environmental challenges. He stated that if these issues are resolved, the Union government may consider supporting K-Rail. He recently conveyed this to Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during their meeting in New Delhi.
The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL – K Rail) is a joint venture between the Kerala government and the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, established to enhance railway infrastructure in the state. One of its flagship projects is the Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod Semi High-Speed Rail (SHSR). This 529.45 km corridor aims to improve connectivity between Kerala’s northern and southern regions, reducing travel time from the current 10-12 hours to less than 4 hours.
