Southern Railway approves GADs for three major ROBs

The Southern Railway has approved the General Arrangement Drawings (GAD) for the construction of three major railway overbridges (RoBs) at Mynagappally, Kallumala, and Nalukodi within the Mavelikara Lok Sabha constituency.

“This crucial technical clearance marks a significant milestone, clearing the path for these long-awaited infrastructure projects to transition directly into the construction phase. Although administrative approval and the necessary funds from the railways had been secured in 2021, the projects faced initial roadblocks. “Procedural delays under the previous State government stalled any momentum, despite repeated representations and letters sent to both the Union Railway Ministry and State authorities urging them to expedite the process,” said Kodikunnil Suresh MP.

In order to resolve the deadlock, the Ministry of Railways subsequently decided to bear 100 per cent of the construction costs for 37 RoBs and one railway underbridge (RUB) across Kerala. While these projects were originally planned under a 50:50 cost-sharing agreement between the Centre and the State, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on May 28, 2021, transitioned them to full Central funding.

Under this arrangement, the projects are being executed under the coordination of the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL). Following a subsequent State government order, the execution responsibilities for these 38 ROB/RUB projects, including those previously assigned to the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK), were officially transferred to KRDCL.

Under the current framework, KRDCL manages overall project coordination, while the State government remains responsible for land acquisition procedures and the Railway Engineering wing oversees construction on the railway side.

“Groundwork has already commenced for the Kallumala RoB, where land acquisition is complete. Meanwhile, appeals have been made to local authorities to fast-track land acquisition, utility shifting, and remaining statutory clearances for the Mynagappally and Nalukodi overbridges so that their active construction can begin without further delay,” said Mr. Suresh.