Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday, 21 September 2026 said that railway funding for Kerala has risen nearly ten-fold under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government — from ₹372 crore in 2014 to ₹3,795 crore in FY 2026-27. The minister made the announcement after meeting Members of Parliament from Kerala to discuss the state's rail network expansion.

Key Developments from the MP Meeting

Vaishnaw said the sharply higher allocation is translating into tangible on-ground progress, including major infrastructure projects, capacity expansion, and improved passenger connectivity across Kerala. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased the allocation for Kerala 10 times to ₹3,795 crore in FY26-27. This amount was just ₹372 crore in 2014,' the minister said in a post on social media platform X.

Mangaluru Zone Confusion Addressed

The minister also took up longstanding operational concerns around Mangaluru, a key rail junction that had been split across three different railway zones — a division that reportedly created serious coordination and scheduling challenges. Vaishnaw confirmed that the decision to consolidate Mangaluru under the South Western Railway (SWR) zone would resolve those problems. The move is expected to streamline train operations, crew management, and infrastructure maintenance at the junction.

Infrastructure Built Over 12 Years

According to Vaishnaw, Kerala's railway network has achieved 100 per cent electrification since 2014. Additionally, 131 road overbridges and underpasses have been constructed, and 16 stations have already been redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Six major doubling and gauge-conversion projects spanning 670 kilometres have been completed at a combined cost of ₹4,316 crore, significantly boosting network capacity across the state.

Projects Currently Under Execution

The minister said railway projects worth more than ₹20,000 crore are currently under execution in Kerala. These include nine multitracking and new-line projects, 145 road overbridges and underpasses, and redevelopment work at 19 stations. 'The focus is on building greater capacity and enabling smoother, more efficient railway operations across Kerala,' Vaishnaw said.

What This Means for Kerala

The ten-fold jump in allocations over 12 years reflects a deliberate federal push to modernise rail infrastructure in a state that has historically lagged in railway development relative to its road and air connectivity. This comes amid broader Centre-state discussions on infrastructure funding, with Kerala often at the centre of political contestation over resource distribution. With over ₹20,000 crore still in the pipeline, the pace of project completion in coming years will be the key measure of delivery.