Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the 10.65-km Mararikulam-Alappuzha railway section in Kerala at an estimated cost of ₹220.51 crore, a move aimed at enhancing capacity and improving operational efficiency on the Southern Railway network.
The project, sanctioned under Indian Railways’ capacity augmentation programme covering doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyover and bypass works, will address the only remaining single-line stretch on the Ernakulam-Turavur-Alappuzha-Ambalapuzha-Kayankulam corridor. Other sections of the route have either already been doubled or are currently undergoing similar upgrades.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the project will facilitate the operation of nine additional passenger trains in each direction daily and support freight traffic of 2.88 million tonnes per annum upon completion.
The enhanced capacity is projected to generate additional annual net earnings of around ₹3.08 crore through increased passenger and freight movement.
The project is also expected to reduce detention of both passenger and freight trains, leading to smoother operations, improved punctuality and better utilisation of railway infrastructure. Improved connectivity across the region is anticipated to benefit commuters, businesses and industries alike.
The proposal has been identified under Indian Railways’ Mission 3000 MT and the High Density Traffic Network Corridor programme, which focus on strengthening critical rail routes and increasing freight-handling capacity.
According to the Railways, the project has demonstrated strong economic viability, recording a Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) of 3.99 per cent and an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 22.30 per cent.
The approval underscores Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to modernise infrastructure, expand network capacity and support the socio-economic development of Kerala through improved rail connectivity and future-ready transport systems.
