The doubling of the railway track between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Parassala, a key segment of the Thiruvananthapuram–Kanyakumari rail corridor, is moving ahead steadily, with nearly 70 per cent of the work already completed.
The government-approved 86.5-km rail-doubling project aims to enhance capacity and efficiency on this heavily used route. At present, the single-track system results in frequent train crossings, speed restrictions, and operational delays. The addition of a second track will ease congestion, improve punctuality, and enable the operation of more passenger and freight services, officials said.
The project is expected to resolve long-standing operational challenges on the southernmost trunk route of Southern Railway, while also strengthening regional connectivity. Construction had earlier slowed due to land acquisition disputes involving landowners, residents, and contractors. These legal and compensation-related issues have since been settled, allowing work to resume at full pace.
According to officials, the Parassala–Nagercoil stretch is progressing faster and is likely to be completed ahead of the Thiruvananthapuram–Parassala section. The entire project is targeted for completion by August 2026 and is expected to bring lasting improvements in speed, reliability, and network capacity.
