Kerala's Rail Network Gets ₹3,795 crore Investment, Ten Times Previous Allocation

The central railway ministry disclosed that Kerala’s rail budget for the 2026‑27 fiscal year has been raised to ₹3,795 crore, a ten‑fold increase from the ₹372 crore allocated in 2014. Minister Ashwini Vaishnav emphasized that the surge in funding will enable large‑scale projects aimed at boosting capacity and improving connectivity across the state. He also highlighted the resolution of operational challenges in the Mangalore zone, where the previous division into three separate zones caused inefficiencies. Over the last twelve years, Kerala’s rail infrastructure has seen full electrification, completion of several gauge‑conversion and line‑doubling projects, and the erection of 131 road over‑bridges and under‑passes. Sixteen stations have already been modernized under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Presently, more than ₹20,000 crore is being invested in projects that include nine multi‑track and new‑line ventures, 145 over‑bridges/under‑passes, and redevelopment of 19 stations.