Thiruvananthapuram – Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has revealed that the Centre is actively considering the construction of third and fourth railway lines in Kerala, running parallel to the state’s existing double tracks. The announcement came via a post on X (formerly Twitter) following his meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The proposed lines are aimed at significantly easing passenger and freight traffic between northern and southern Kerala, marking a potential transformation in the state’s railway connectivity. Discussions also included plans for new overbridges and underpasses to support the expanded network.
Highlighting the Centre’s increased commitment to Kerala’s rail infrastructure, Vaishnaw noted that the state’s railway budget, which averaged ₹372 crore during the UPA regime, has now surged to ₹3,042 crore for 2025–26.
In contrast, the Centre reaffirmed its rejection of the state government’s ambitious semi high-speed SilverLine project, citing unresolved technical and environmental concerns. The K-Rail Corporation’s plan, the Railway Ministry reiterated, cannot move forward under the current conditions.
However, a new ray of hope emerges in the form of a fresh proposal by renowned engineer and “Metro Man” E Sreedharan. Submitted in February as an alternative to SilverLine, the plan is currently under review. While no official feedback has been issued yet, K.V. Thomas, who was present at the meeting, stated that the Centre has assured a final decision will be made shortly.
The developments signal a promising shift in Kerala’s railway future—more grounded, more expansive, and potentially more feasible.
