The state of Kerala is racing against time to deliver four major railway overbridges that promise to change the pace and safety of daily commute across key urban and semi-urban corridors.
These structures — part of the flagship Level-Crossing-Free Kerala initiative — are being executed by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK), which has emerged as a key player in the state’s infrastructure push. At an estimated cumulative cost exceeding ₹120 crore, the upcoming bridges at Tanur–Theyyala, Koduvally–Thalassery, Vadanamkurussi and Chirayinkeezhu signal not just steel and concrete progress, but a much-needed systemic shift in urban mobility thinking.
The new overbridges are being designed with a focus on long-term resilience, using steel-concrete composite continuous span technologies — an engineering solution that ensures greater durability while also reducing the carbon footprint during construction. Each project is being constructed with minimal disruption to railway operations and nearby communities, reflecting a deliberate move towards infrastructure that is both user-friendly and environmentally conscious. The efforts are aligned with Kerala’s broader mobility vision: ensuring zero waiting at level crossings, decongesting choke points and curbing vehicular emissions from idling traffic.
With India’s cities facing a burgeoning urban sprawl, Kerala’s model is fast becoming an instructive case for balancing growth with sustainability.
Since assuming office, the current state government has seen RBDCK complete infrastructure works totalling ₹314 crore — a figure that underscores both commitment and delivery. Seven overbridges have already been thrown open to the public in diverse locations such as Guruvayur, Feroke, and Kanhangad. These interventions, combined with related projects like flyovers, bypasses and river bridges, are forming a silent but significant lattice of transit reform across the state. For Kochi and surrounding regions, notorious for level crossing bottlenecks, these bridges are expected to free up thousands of lost man-hours each day, reduce collision risks, and bring relief to motorists and emergency services alike.
The Public Works Department has opted for regular monthly review meetings to monitor progress, a move that has helped compress timelines and resolve delays on-ground. The most recent meeting, led by Minister Mohamed Riyas, has directed the fast-tracking of ongoing overbridge works and prioritisation of pending land or design approvals. By integrating interdepartmental coordination with technical supervision, Kerala is crafting a governance template that could be emulated nationwide. What remains crucial, however, is ensuring that these projects continue to uphold the tenets of equity — ensuring access for all commuters, including pedestrians, cyclists, and persons with disabilities — and sustainability, by adopting energy-efficient lighting, rainwater harvesting, and smart signage systems.
As Kerala edges closer to realising its level-crossing-free vision, the real victory will lie in how inclusive and future-proof this infrastructure proves to be. The bridges, after all, are not just about steel, but about connecting people, reducing ecological costs, and reimagining how cities like Kochi move.
Four new bridges set to transform Kerala
