Thrissur: Central Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that the railway is willing to proceed with the K-Rail project if the technical and environmental issues associated with the plan are resolved. He emphasized that the central government believes in federalism and is committed to the Angamaly-Erumeli-Shabari route, speaking in Thrissur.
The K-Rail project has been abandoned by the state government, which had deemed it quite impossible. The project faced challenges as the central government turned its back on it, and public opposition further complicated its status. However, the Railway Minister made it clear that the potential for K-Rail remains.
Vaishnaw reiterated that if the technical and environmental problems are addressed, the railway is prepared to move forward. He mentioned that the central government is committed to the Angamaly-Erumeli-Shabari route, citing a model implemented in Maharashtra as a reference for efforts to advance this project. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to enhance technical standards across the entire region, excluding the Ernakulam-Shornur line.
He also pointed out that the state has only acquired 14% of the land required for the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Thiruvananthapuram triple-line project. Vaishnaw added that the central government will grant Kerala more Memu trains
