After SilverLine, Kanjikode coach factory, Kerala's third rail line faces uncertainty

Thrissur: Kerala's proposed third railway line project, once seen as the state's best hope for easing rail congestion and improving train speeds, has made little progress, with surveys completed but no clarity on the next phase of implementation.

The project was launched in 2024, when the Railways initiated aerial surveys for a third track along the Ernakulam–Shoranur, Shoranur–Palakkad and Shoranur–Mangaluru corridors. While the aerial survey has reportedly been completed, it remains unclear whether the final report has been submitted.

Earlier, soil testing was carried out at Thozhupadam near Painkulam in Thrissur district as part of the preliminary works. It was then indicated that the project's financial viability would be assessed after receiving reports from the private agency conducting the study. However, there has been no official update on the outcome.

There is also no clarity on whether the proposed third track between Ernakulam and Shoranur and Shoranur and Mangaluru will run parallel to the existing railway line. The Railways had earlier noted that constructing a parallel track along the Ernakulam–Shoranur stretch would be challenging because of multiple curves ranging between two and four degrees.

The uncertainty comes after the Centre ruled out several major railway proposals for Kerala, including the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project, E. Sreedharan's high-speed rail proposal, and the Kanjikode coach factory. The third railway line had emerged as the state's primary rail infrastructure project, with expectations that it could eventually pave the way for a fourth track.

Replying in the Rajya Sabha recently, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said surveys and the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for the third and fourth railway lines are currently underway. He also informed Parliament that surveys are in progress for the Ernakulam–Kayamkulam and Kayamkulam–Thiruvananthapuram sections.

At present, the only visible progress linked to the project is the construction of a double-track railway bridge across the Bharathapuzha River, where bridge pillars have already been erected.

The existing railway corridor in Kerala supports an average train speed of around 80 kmph, with speeds dropping to nearly 50 kmph at several stretches due to capacity constraints. Railway experts believe the addition of a third track would improve operational efficiency, increase train frequency and reduce travel time.

However, the project has yet to move to critical stages such as land acquisition, raising concerns over its future timeline.