Union Railway Minister Points Finger at Kerala Government for Overbridge Delays
In a significant development, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has squarely placed the blame on the Kerala state government for the prolonged delays in constructing 106 road overbridges intended to replace hazardous level crossings across the state. The minister's written reply in the Rajya Sabha highlights a complex web of bureaucratic and logistical hurdles that have stalled these critical infrastructure projects.
Detailed Breakdown of Project Delays
Minister Vaishnaw provided a granular analysis of the specific reasons behind the holdups. According to his statement, a staggering 38 overbridges or subways have been delayed primarily due to protracted land acquisition processes. Furthermore, 63 projects are stuck because the state government has yet to finalize the alignment plans, which is a crucial step before construction can commence. Adding to the complications, two projects face obstacles from public protests or ongoing court cases, while three others are delayed because the executing agency has not been appointed.
As of January 2026, a total of 139 road overbridges or subways across railway tracks have been sanctioned in Kerala, with an estimated cost of Rs 4,932 crore. These projects are currently at various stages of planning and execution. Notably, 107 of these projects, valued at approximately Rs 4,000 crore, are being undertaken on a cost-sharing basis with the Kerala state government. The remaining 32 projects, worth Rs 876 crore, are being handled independently by the Indian Railways.
Measures Implemented to Accelerate Progress
In response to these delays, the Railway Ministry has initiated several proactive measures to expedite the progress of these vital projects. One key strategy involves conducting joint surveys with the state government or the relevant road-owning authority before finalizing the General Arrangement Drawing (GAD). This collaborative approach aims to ensure smoother execution and minimize future conflicts.
Additionally, periodic meetings are being held between railway officials and state government representatives to resolve any emerging issues related to the projects promptly. To further streamline the process, the Railways have standardized superstructure drawings for various combinations of span, skewness, and road width on the railway portion. This standardization is designed to avoid unnecessary delays during the design approval phase.
Minister Vaishnaw also emphasized that, wherever feasible, overbridge or subway work is planned to be executed on a single-entity basis by the railway. This centralized approach is expected to enhance efficiency and accountability in project management.
Multifaceted Challenges Impacting Completion
The completion and commissioning of these overbridge projects are contingent upon a multitude of factors, many of which are beyond the immediate control of the Railways. Key dependencies include the cooperation of state governments in granting consent for the closure of level crossings, the fixing of approach alignments, and the approval of the General Arrangement.
Other critical hurdles encompass land acquisition, removal of encroachments, shifting of infringing utilities, and obtaining statutory clearances from various authorities. The law and order situation in the project areas, as well as the duration of the working season influenced by local climatic conditions, also play a significant role in determining project timelines.
"All these factors affect the completion time of the projects," Minister Vaishnaw stated unequivocally. He further underscored the importance of these initiatives, noting that the removal of level crossings is essential for improving both the safety and operational speed of trains, thereby enhancing overall railway efficiency and passenger security.
