Rs 3795 crore allocated for Kerala in the budget, 35 station redeveloped under Amrit Bharat: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union minister said that the latest budget marked a milestone for Kerala where years of underinvestment had constrained expansion despite rising passenger demand and heavy dependence on rail transport in Kerala.
New Delhi : Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw while addressing the media countered the statements made by the opposition in the parliament over neglect towards Kerala in the railway sector. The union minister said that Kerala has received an allocation of Rs 3795 crore towards rail development in the current budget and added that Rs 18,000 crore worth projects are currently being undertaken in different sectors across railway in Kerala.
Union minister said that the latest budget marked a milestone for Kerala where years of underinvestment had constrained expansion despite rising passenger demand and heavy dependence on rail transport in Kerala.
"Kerala has received one of its highest allocation in the railway sector in the current budget. Also more projects are in the pipeline”, said union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
"As part of station modernization, 35 stations are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat station programme. Vadakara and Chirayinkeezhu has been operational as Amrit Bharat stations since May 2025. In addition, 118 rail flyovers and underbridges have been constructed since 2014 to ease congestion at level crossings and improve safety”, the minister said.
"Between 2009 and 2014, Kerala’s average annual railway allocation stood at Rs 372 crore limiting the pace of modernization and capacity creation. Since 2014, sustained central investment had helped accelerate growth, with projects worth around Rs 18,000 crore currently being undertaken”, said union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
"The 2026-27 budget reinforces Kerala’s emergence as a key driver of rail-led growth in southern India. He further added that the visible improvement across the railway network reflect a decade of focused investment and execution”, the minister added.