Alappuzha | Indian railways approved doubling of the 10.65-km Mararikulam–Alappuzha section in Kerala at an estimated cost of Rs 220.51 crore.
It aims to enhance capacity and operational efficiency on the Southern Railway network.
The project has been sanctioned under the umbrella programme for doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyover, and bypass works intended to augment the capacity of the railway network, a statement said on Monday.
The Mararikulam–Alappuzha stretch is currently the only remaining single-line section on the Ernakulam–Turavur–Alappuzha–Ambalapuzha–Kayankulam corridor, where other doubling works have either been commissioned or are under various stages of implementation.
According to railway authorities, completion of the project will enable the operation of nine additional passenger trains in each direction per day and support freight traffic of 2.88 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The doubling of work is also expected to generate additional net earnings of around Rs 3.08 crore annually through increased passenger and freight movement.
Officials said the project would reduce the detention of passenger and freight trains, resulting in faster and smoother train operations on the route. It is also expected to improve line capacity, punctuality, and regional connectivity.
The proposal has been identified under Indian railways’ mission 3000 MT initiative and the high-density traffic network corridor programme.
The project has demonstrated strong economic viability, recording a Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) of 3.99 per cent and an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 22.30 per cent, the statement added.
The railways said the project would expand rail infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and support Kerala's socio-economic development through better transport connectivity.
