More trains; less waste of time: DPR ready for Mararikulam–Alappuzha coastal line doubling

Kochi: The doubling of the Alappuzha coastal line, which streamlines rail traffic in the state, has gathered pace.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for doubling the stretch from Mararikulam to Alappuzha has been readied, with the estimate pegged at ₹205 crore. It will soon be submitted to the Railway Board, and approval is expected without delay.

Once this is received, all official procedures related to the construction work for doubling the coastal line will be completed.

Last month, the Railway Ministry sanctioned ₹324 crore for doubling the Ambalappuzha–Alappuzha section.

The Railway Board had earlier approved a revised estimate of ₹430 crore for the 14-kilometre Thuravoor–Mararikulam reach. The estimate for the Alappuzha–Ambalappuzha section stands at ₹313 crore.

Earlier, the plan was to carry out the doubling work together. Now, steps are under way to complete it in three reaches.

Of the 69-kilometre stretch from Ernakulam to Ambalappuzha, 45 kilometres remain to be doubled.

From Ambalappuzha to Kayamkulam, a double line is already in place.

Land acquisition has been completed for the 7.71-kilometre Ernakulam–Kumbalam stretch, where follow-up works are in progress. Approvals have also been granted for the Kumbalam–Thuravoor reach (15.59 kilometres) and the Thuravoor–Mararikulam reach (21.10 kilometres), with procedures advancing.

The doubling is being fully funded by the Railways, while land acquisition is being handled by the state government.

At present, 35 trains operate daily along this corridor. Once doubling is completed, it will enable the operation of nine additional trains each day. Currently, the absence of a continuous double line forces other trains to be held at various points when priority services pass through