This technical clearance is a major step forward, enabling the projects to move directly into the construction phase. Although administrative approvals and railway funding were secured back in 2021, progress was delayed due to procedural issues under the previous State government. Kodikunnil Suresh, MP of Mavelikara, noted that despite repeated appeals to the Union Railway Ministry and State authorities, momentum was stalled for several years.
To address the deadlock, the Ministry of Railways decided to fully fund the construction costs for 37 RoBs and one railway underbridge (RUB) across Kerala. Originally planned as a 50:50 cost-sharing scheme between the Centre and the State, a Memorandum of Understanding signed on May 28, 2021, changed the funding to 100 percent Central government support.
Execution of these projects is coordinated by Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL). A State government order subsequently transferred responsibility for all 38 ROB/RUB projects, including those previously managed by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK), to KRDCL.
Under the current arrangement, KRDCL handles overall project coordination, the State government manages land acquisition, and the Railway Engineering wing oversees construction work on the railway side.
Work has already started on the Kallumala RoB, with land acquisition completed. Appeals have been made to local authorities to expedite land acquisition, utility relocation, and statutory clearances for the Mynagappally and Nalukodi projects to avoid further delays, said Mr. Suresh.
These infrastructure projects are expected to improve connectivity and ease road traffic in the Mavelikara constituency, reflecting a notable advancement in Kerala’s railway development efforts.
