Kerala’s government commits a huge sum of ₹2,028 Crore to build 60 new bridges over train lines. This urgent move directly tackles severe traffic jams and safety risks faced daily by common people across the state. Long waits at railway crossings and the danger of accidents are major problems. these new overpasses promise immediate relief. This big investment shows the state’s strong effort to make travel easier and safer now, cutting down on delays and saving lives.
Big Investment for Better Roads
The state of Kerala has announced a significant financial commitment of ₹2,028 crore towards the construction of 60 new railway overpasses. This large-scale effort aims to create a continuous and smooth road network across the state. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the opening of the Koduvally railway overpass in Thalassery. This commitment highlights the government’s ongoing focus on improving infrastructure and ensuring easier travel for everyone.
How the Money Will Be Used
Of the total ₹2,028 crore set aside for these 60 new railway overpasses, a large portion of ₹1,800 crore will come from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). KIIFB is a government body that helps raise money for big projects within the state. This funding is central to the state’s plan to build these new overpasses, which are essential for managing the growing traffic and ensuring safety where roads and railway lines meet. The Public Works Department of the Government of Kerala acts as the main agency for carrying out these overpass construction projects.
Making Kerala Without Level Crossings
The state government has a clear goal: to make “Kerala without level crossings.” This vision is about getting rid of railway level crossings, where roads and train tracks meet at the same level. Such crossings often cause long delays for road users and can be risky. By building overpasses, the government aims to speed up road traffic and make travel much safer. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that building these overpasses is vital for faster road transport and shows the government’s commitment to completing big projects on time. He stated that the government works to fulfill its promises, which helps build trust among the people.
Recent Project Completions and Future Plans
The Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) is a key agency involved in building these railway flyovers. The Public Works Minister, P. A. Mohamed Riyas, has shared that the government is giving special attention to these railway flyover projects. So far, the RBDCK has taken on the task of building 73 railway flyovers across Kerala. The progress in bridge building has been steady.
- Six railway overpasses have already been finished.
- Eight more are currently being built.
- Plans for four others are in the tender stage, meaning bids are being accepted from companies to do the work.
- For six more overpasses, the vital step of buying the land needed for construction has been completed.
Since the current government came into power, the RBDCK has completed projects worth ₹314 crore, including seven railway overpasses at various locations such as Guruvayur, Chirangara, Maliyekkal, Feroke, Kanhangad, Caritas. Mulanthuruthy. The goal of building 100 bridges in five years was achieved in just three years and eight months. the government is now working towards completing a total of 200 bridges. One of the recently opened projects, the Koduvally railway overpass, cost ₹36. 37 crore to build. The state government paid ₹26. 31 crore. the Railways contributed ₹10 crore for this specific project. The Koduvally bridge is 314 meters long and 10. 5 meters wide. It is also notable for being the first bridge in Kerala to use a steel-concrete composite structure model. This Koduvally overpass is the 147th bridge completed since the current government took office. In the coming months, the RBDCK plans to finish four more railway overpasses by May 31. These include the ones at Tanur–Theyyala, Koduvally–Thalassery, Vadanamkurussi. Chirayinkeezhu. These, too, are being built using modern steel-concrete composite designs.
Southern Railway’s Special Support
In an crucial move, Southern Railway has announced that it will fully pay for the construction of 55 railway overbridges in Kerala. This decision is unusual because normally, the cost of building overbridges is shared equally between the Railways and the state government. Southern Railway stepped in because the Kerala government has found it difficult to provide its share of the money due to financial problems. This “extraordinary” decision by Southern Railway is meant to speed up railway projects in Kerala, where there are many level crossings. There are more than 400 level crossings in the state. many urgently need overbridges. Southern Railway has emphasized that this step was taken to put safety first and make sure vital projects are finished quickly. Out of these 55 projects, plans for 18 overbridges have been finalized. the process of buying land for them has started. Southern Railway has already given ₹95 crore to the state for land acquisition for these 18 projects. The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL), which is a joint company of the state government and the Ministry of Railways, is responsible for carrying out these 55 projects. Southern Railway expects KRDCL to complete these 18 overbridges within 18 months. But, the speed of work on all 55 projects has been a concern for the Railways. The approval of plans and land acquisition for the remaining 37 overbridges, which Southern Railway has also agreed to fully fund, are still waiting for action from the state government.
Making Travel Safer and Smoother
These railway overpasses are crucial for many reasons. Firstly, they greatly improve safety on roads and railway tracks. Level crossings are known to be risky places and can lead to accidents. By building overpasses, the chances of such incidents are reduced, protecting both road users and train passengers. Secondly, these overpasses help traffic move more smoothly. With overbridges, vehicles do not have to stop and wait for trains to pass at level crossings. This reduces traffic jams, especially in busy areas. saves travel time for commuters and goods transport. Faster and smoother traffic flow is a key benefit, supporting the state’s aim to have an uninterrupted road network. Thirdly, overpasses allow trains to run at higher speeds without needing to slow down or stop at crossings. This improves the overall efficiency of the railway network, allowing for better train schedules and faster movement of both passenger and freight trains. The replacement of level crossings with overbridges also contributes to efforts aimed at reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions by avoiding long idling times at crossings, aligning with climate-conscious planning.
Addressing Challenges in Building
Building such large infrastructure projects, like railway overpasses, often comes with difficulties. One of the main challenges is acquiring the necessary land. Buying land from many different owners can be a complex process, involving numerous discussions and sometimes hurdles, as seen in the case of the Koduvally overpass where land acquisition for 123. 6 cents from 27 landowners was part of the challenge. Another challenge can be coordinating between different government bodies. In the past, there have been issues with money being available for bridges but projects being delayed because the railway and state government agencies faced difficulties in working together or sharing costs effectively. Experts point out that the state’s difficulty in providing its share of funding for projects, which led to Southern Railway fully funding 55 projects, suggests a broader “governance challenge” and issues with coordination. Timely release of funds, land acquisition. project management capacity at the state level are all essential for projects to move forward without delays. Despite these challenges, the commitment to the “Kerala Without Level Crossings” project remains strong, showing the government’s determination to modernize the state’s transport infrastructure. 
