Work on 106 road overbridges in Kerala delayed due to state issues, says Union minister — Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted that construction of 106 road overbridges (ROBs) and subways in Kerala has been significantly delayed due largely to state-level bottlenecks, drawing attention to critical infrastructure challenges in the region. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the minister outlined that land acquisition hurdles, alignment finalisation issues, court cases, and pending contractor appointments are among the key reasons slowing progress on these projects.
According to the minister’s response, 139 overbridge and subway projects worth around ₹4,932 crore had been sanctioned for Kerala as of January 2026. Of these, 107 projects worth about ₹4,000 crore were planned under a cost-sharing model with the state government, while the remaining 32 were to be carried out solely by the Railways. However, delays in securing clear land titles for at least 38 projects and finalising alignment plans for 63 others have stalled construction timelines. In addition, legal challenges and contractual delays have further compounded the slow pace of work.
Vaishnaw emphasised that removal of level crossings via ROBs is crucial for enhancing rail safety and reducing road traffic bottlenecks, especially in busy transport corridors across Kerala. The delays, he noted, have implications for both commuter safety and the efficiency of rail and road networks. To address these bottlenecks, the Union ministry has been holding coordination meetings with state officials, conducting joint surveys, and standardising design criteria to streamline project execution.
While such projects are vital for eliminating hazardous level crossings and improving connectivity, progress has been uneven because of complex local factors including land ownership disputes and procedural delays. The Railways continue to work with the state government to find solutions that accelerate implementation, including frequent reviews and enhanced communication between agencies to resolve statutory and administrative issues.
This situation underscores broader infrastructure development challenges in Kerala, where land acquisition issues and procedural clearance delays often affect large-scale public works, potentially slowing economic growth and connectivity improvements in the state.
