The crucial railway track doubling project on the busy Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari corridor is hitting significant milestones, with work on the stretch between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Parassala stations now approximately 70% complete. Official sources indicate that the full work on this segment is steadily progressing and is targeted for completion by August 2026.
Overcoming Legal Hurdles to Accelerate Pace
After facing considerable delays due to protracted land acquisition disputes, the project is now moving swiftly within its revised timeline. The construction was impeded for months as residents and landowners in areas like Nemom filed court cases, even after receiving compensation, leading to legal standoffs. "A major challenge was, at many places, landowners filed court cases even after receiving compensation, slowing down the work," revealed a source closely associated with the project.
However, with these legal and compensation issues largely resolved, construction activities have resumed at full throttle across several sections. Officials confirm that the work between Parassala and Nagercoil is advancing at an even faster pace and is expected to be finished ahead of the Thiruvananthapuram-Parassala stretch.
Project Details and Expected Benefits
The government-sanctioned 86.5-km rail doubling work is designed to enhance capacity on the route, which has long been operated on a single line. This limitation caused frequent train crossings and imposed speed constraints, leading to operational inefficiencies and delays. Once completed, the project is set to:
- Ease operational pressure on the network.
- Facilitate the introduction of more passenger and freight services.
- Significantly improve train punctuality along this southernmost trunk route of the Southern Railway.
Significant infrastructure components, including major earthworks and railway overbridges (ROBs), have been completed. The construction and renovation of ROBs at multiple locations in the Parassala locality, undertaken under Southern Railway's supervision, aim to improve road safety and streamline rail-road interaction.
Financial and Administrative Layers
The land acquisition phase was a complex process, sparking public debates and protests from local associations demanding fair compensation and faster clearances. Data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals that the state government received over Rs 32.5 crore in compensation from Southern Railway for land parcels, including public roads, acquired for the doubling works.
Station development work is also concurrently in progress at Neyyattinkara and Nemom. Looking ahead, transport planners expect the doubled line to reduce travel times, enhance capacity for faster trains, and support regional economic activity. Its completion will also bolster future proposals, such as a potential third-line survey along the Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil corridor, to further boost rail traffic capacity.
