Apart from a proposal for suburban train service between Thiruvananthapuram and Chengannur, the rail budget presented by union minister Suresh Prabhu did not offer much to the rail sector in the state.
The minister proposed to link Thiruvananthapuram and Chengannur through suburban railway with cooperation from the state government. However he noted that new railway lines for the project is not feasible and hence suburban trains will use the existing tracks.
The suburban service would ply along with MEMU trains at a gap of 20 minutes. Automatic signalling system will be put in place for running the service.
Other announcements for Kerala
*) The ministry has earmarked a sum of Rs 320 crore for rail line doubling works between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari.
*) Rs 101 crore has been earmarked for gauge changing of lines between Chenkotta and Punalur.
*) Rs 1 crore for the development of terminal in Kochu Veli
*) Rs 3.5 crore for the construction of pigline in Ernakulam
*) In a vision to facilitate pilgrims to Chakkulathukaavu temple and Sabarimala, Chengannur railway station will be revamped into pilgrimage facilitation center
*) Rs 40 crore for Sabari Line
*) Rs 5 crore for track doubling works between Chengannur and Chingavanam
*) Special trains connecting Chengannur and Nagapatanam for pilgrims
*) Rs 27 crore for track doubling works between Kurupunthara and Mulanthuruthy
*) Rs 165 crore for doubling works between Kurupunthara and Chingavanam
*) Rs 78 crore for doubling works between Haripad and Alappuzha
*) Rs 35 crore for doubling works between Thuravur and Kumbalam
*) Rs 100 crore for doubling works between Paravur and Alappuzha
*) Rs 30 crore for doubling works between Ernakulam and Kumbalam
