Kerala Railway Projects Face Land Hurdles

02 Dec 2024 CW Team

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has raised concerns over land acquisition delays in Kerala, which are hampering the execution of key railway projects worth ?12,350 crore. Despite the central government disbursing over ?2,100 crore for acquiring 470 hectares (Ha) of land, the state has managed to secure only 64 Ha.

Key Issues and Concerns Land Acquisition Shortfall:

Required: 470 Ha Acquired: 64 Ha ?2,100 crore paid to Kerala for acquisition. Project Allocations:

?3,011 crore allocated for railway projects in FY 2024-25, the highest-ever outlay for the state. Major Projects Impacted:

Trivandrum-Kanyakumari line (doubling). Ernakulam-Kumbalam line (doubling). Kumbalam-Turavur line (doubling). Angamali-Sabarimala line (new project). Minister's Appeal to Kerala Government In a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Vaishnaw highlighted the need for expedited land acquisition, requesting direct intervention and instructions to state officers to resolve the bottlenecks. The delay in land availability is slowing the implementation of projects critical for improving rail connectivity and passenger convenience in Kerala.

Impact of Delays Infrastructure Development:

Stalled progress on doubling lines and new routes. Potential setbacks to Kerala's railway network modernization and capacity enhancement. Financial Strain:

Allocated funds remain underutilized, affecting timelines and project efficiency. Conclusion The delays in land acquisition are a significant obstacle to Kerala's railway infrastructure development. With record financial allocations and the strategic importance of projects like the Angamali-Sabarimala line, prompt action by the state government is essential to avoid further setbacks and ensure timely project completion.

Real Estate

03 Apr 2026

Loomcraft Enters South India with Kerala Store Launch

Loomcraft has launched its exclusive store in Kerala, marking its entry into South India and a key step in its nationwide expansion strategy. The move targets a region driven by tourism and premium real estate demand, where outdoor spaces play a central role in hospitality and residential experiences.Kerala’s growing base of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, villas and gated communities has created strong demand for specialised outdoor furniture. However, the region has remained underserved, with buyers relying on imports or generic products not suited to humid, coastal and monsoon-heavy cond..

Mild Steel Prices Seen Rising to Rs 61,000 Per Tonne

Mild steel prices in India, currently around Rs 58,000 per tonne, are expected to rise to nearly Rs 61,000 per tonne in April, indicating an increase of about Rs 3,000 per tonne. The anticipated rise reflects structural pressures driven by geopolitical tensions, energy constraints and limited raw material availability.Ongoing global conflict has disrupted energy markets, leading to LNG shortages that are affecting domestic steel production. Small and mid-sized manufacturers, particularly those dependent on gas-based processes, are witnessing production cuts due to constrained energy supply, re..

Vedanta Expands Transgender Workforce to 75 Employees

Vedanta has strengthened its commitment to workplace inclusion by employing 75 transgender individuals across its businesses, including Vedanta Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc, Sesa Goa, FACOR and Cairn Oil & Gas. The initiative reflects sustained hiring efforts since 2022 to build equitable opportunities across operations, corporate and technical roles.Transgender employees are engaged in functions such as operations, finance, logistics, HR, CSR, healthcare and security, with provisions for internal mobility to support career progression. The company has implemented structured policies, includi..