₹3,795 crore earmarked for Kerala rail projects FY 2026‑27 – Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Centre’s budget outlay for rail development in Kerala, covering the fiscal year 2026‑27, though individual project allocations remain undisclosed [1].
Outlay reflects cumulative cost of ongoing works, not new spending – Sources clarified that the ₹3,795 crore figure represents the total cost of projects already under construction, not the amount to be expended in the next financial year [1].
Government backs E. Sreedharan’s high‑speed rail, timeline pending – Vaishnaw affirmed full support for technocrat E. Sreedharan’s high‑speed rail effort, noted consultation on Kerala rail development, and said work on the DPR for the Mangaluru–Shoranur fourth line and the field survey for the 106‑km Shoranur–Ernakulam third line is underway, without giving a completion date [1].
Preliminary work launched on multiple third‑line and new routes – Early activities have begun on third‑line sections along Shoranur–Coimbatore, Ernakulam–Kayamkulam, Kayamkulam–Thiruvananthapuram, and Thiruvananthapuram–Nagercoil, alongside steps for the Sabari rail project and the Thirunavaya–Guruvayur route [1].
Letter to chief minister will seek faster land acquisition – Vaishnaw said a fresh letter will be sent to Kerala’s chief minister requesting expedited land acquisition for the state’s railway development projects [1].
Southern Railway cites ₹18,041 crore in ongoing infrastructure works – The zone reports station redevelopment, safety upgrades, and other works totalling ₹18,041 crore, including ₹2,989 crore for upgrading 35 stations under the Amrit Station Scheme, and notes that about 125 km of track have been added in the last 12 years [1].