Kodungallur, Kerala: The Centre is prepared to implement the Edappally-Kodungallur-Tirur Coastal Railway project if the state government acquires the necessary land, Union Minister Suresh Gopi said on Thursday. 

He claimed that once the land acquisition is completed, the Centre would promptly allocate the required funds to make the project a reality.  

The minister made this statement in response to a memorandum submitted by BJP South District municipal councillors and panchayat members during a meeting. BJP Mandalam President E.R. Jithesh and Municipal Party Leader T.S. Sajeevan were among those who presented the request.  

During the discussion, party representatives highlighted that the coastal railway would help transform Kodungallur into a major tourist city by connecting key pilgrimage sites, including the Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, Cheraman Juma Masjid and Mar Thoma Pontifical Shrine.  

Suresh Gopi emphasized the need for BJP representatives in local self-government institutions to intensify ward-based developmental activities and effectively communicate the BJP government's initiatives to the public.  

The minister also stated that under the Amrit Sarovar scheme, major ponds and water sources could be included in regional drinking water supply projects.  

Regarding infrastructure, he confirmed that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured the construction of a 3.5-meter-high underpass at the Chandapura-Kottapuram bypass. The project will be implemented once the required reports from project officials are received, he added.