Indian Railways Approves Mararikulam Alappuzha Doubling Project

12 Jun 2026 CW Team

Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the 10.65 km Mararikulam - Alappuzha section of Southern Railway at a sanctioned cost of Rs 2,205.1 million (mn).

The decision forms part of umbrella works for doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyover and bypass projects aimed at augmenting capacity across the network. The section is currently the only remaining single-line stretch on the Ernakulam - Turavur - Alappuzha - Ambalapuzha - Kayankulam corridor and sits within a corridor where other doubling works have been commissioned or are under implementation.

On completion the doubling is expected to facilitate operation of nine additional passenger trains in each direction per day and to support freight traffic of 2.88 million (mn) tonne (t) per annum. The work is projected to generate additional net earnings of about Rs 30.8 mn annually through increased passenger and freight movement. Planners also anticipate reduced detention of services, faster transit times and smoother operations for both local and long-distance services.

The proposal has been identified under Mission 3000 MT and the High Density Traffic Network Corridor of Indian Railways and has shown strong economic viability. Financial internal rate of return is 3.99 per cent and economic internal rate of return is 22.30 per cent, reinforcing the case for investment. The approval reaffirms Indian Railways' commitment to expanding capacity, improving operational efficiency and supporting the socio-economic development of Keralam through modern infrastructure, and implementation will be planned to minimise disruption during execution.

Building Material

25 Jul 2026

Saint-Gobain, CEPT partner on sustainable construction

Saint-Gobain and CEPT University have entered into a strategic partnership to establish a Tech Commons Centre aimed at advancing research, innovation and skill development in sustainable and energy-efficient construction.The centre will serve as a platform for building science research, prototyping, industry collaboration and knowledge exchange, bringing together Saint-Gobain's expertise in sustainable construction and CEPT's capabilities in education and research. The collaboration will focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, climate resilience and wellbeing in the built environment.Accor..

Aludecor launches Stonic ACP surface series

Aludecor Lamination has launched its Stonic aluminium composite panel (ACP) surface series and the second phase of its 'Test Nahi Toh Trust Nahi' campaign as part of its 24th Foundation Day celebrations.Inspired by the natural craquelure patterns found in aged stone, the Stonic series is available in seven finishes and has been developed using the company's Spray Fusion technology. The ACP range is designed for use in façades, feature walls, entranceways, soffits, balcony fascia, ceilings and other commercial, residential and hospitality applications.The company also introduced 'The Fikar-Fre..

NABARD, MAHAPREIT partner on rural green infrastructure

NABARD has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology (MAHAPREIT) to finance and promote green, climate-resilient infrastructure in rural India, with an initial focus on Maharashtra.The partnership will combine NABARD's expertise in rural development and climate finance with MAHAPREIT's experience in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. The collaboration will identify, develop and finance projects aimed at strengthening village infrastructure, Panchayati Raj Institutions and other community assets.Priority areas incl..