Railway Minister tells Kerala MPs projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore are under execution and defends Mangaluru's move to South Western Railway

Kerala Infrastructure Economy & Banking

Railway Minister tells Kerala MPs projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore are under execution and defends Mangaluru's move to South Western Railway

21 September 2026

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met Members of Parliament from Kerala on 21 September 2026.
He said railway projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore are under execution in Kerala.
Kerala's railway allocation is Rs 3,795 crore for 2026-27, against Rs 372 crore in 2014.
Of the 618 hectares of land needed for projects, only 78 hectares (13%) have been acquired; Railways has deposited Rs 1,976 crore with the State for land acquisition.
The sanctioned Angamali-Sabarimala new line is costed at Rs 3,801 crore.
The Kerala MPs sought a review of the decision to shift the Mangaluru area to the South Western Railway zone; the minister defended it on grounds of operational efficiency.

Projects under execution: over Rs 20,000 crore Allocation 2026-27: Rs 3,795 crore Land needed / acquired: 618 ha / 78 ha Angamali-Sabarimala line: Rs 3,801 crore

Why it matters for exams: Railway zones and divisions, the Angamali-Sabarimala line and land acquisition delays are recurring Kerala infrastructure questions.

Kerala PSCUPSC

21 September 2026 Source: ANI

In plain words

Railway zone — The largest administrative unit of Indian Railways, made up of divisions.