Thiruvananthapuram: Indian Railways has sanctioned ₹450.59 crore for doubling the 21.10-km Turavur–Mararikulam railway section under Southern Railway, a key move aimed at decongesting one of Kerala’s busiest rail corridors.

The section forms part of the vital Ernakulam–Alappuzha–Kayankulam route, which carries heavy passenger traffic alongside substantial freight movement, including cargo linked to Cochin Port. At present, the stretch operates near saturation levels, resulting in delays and operational bottlenecks.

With the addition of a parallel track, the corridor will be able to accommodate nine extra passenger trains per day in each direction. Freight capacity is also expected to increase by nearly 2.88 million tonnes annually.

Railway officials estimate that doubling will reduce detention time by 17 to 19 minutes for freight trains and 12 to 15 minutes for passenger services. The project is expected to improve punctuality, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen port connectivity, thereby supporting trade and regional economic activity.

The move aligns with Indian Railways’ broader strategy of enhancing high-density corridors to meet growing transportation demand in southern India. DeshBharat