Kerala HC Sets Deadline for Nilambur-Nanjangud Rail Project
The Kerala High Court has stepped in to accelerate the long-awaited Nilambur-Nanjangud rail line, issuing a firm directive to the Indian Railways. The court has mandated that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this crucial interstate connectivity project must be completed no later than October 14, 2026.
A Push for Malabar Connectivity
The order comes in response to a petition filed by C.N. Vijayakrishnan, the president of the Kozhikode-based Cancer and Allied Ailments Research (CARE) Foundation. The petitioner highlighted the pressing necessity for improved railway infrastructure within the Malabar region to boost regional development and accessibility.
A division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Shyam Kumar V.M., emphasized the need for rapid progress. Beyond the completion of the report, the court has also required the Railways to file an affidavit by the same deadline, confirming whether the DPR has been officially submitted to the relevant authorities for final approval and sanction.
Current Status of the Project
According to previous filings from the Southern Railway in July 2026, the project has already reached several preliminary stages:
- Final Location Survey (FLS): The Railway Board has already granted approval for this survey.
- Technical Assessments: LIDAR technology and traffic surveys are currently being conducted to gather essential data for the report.
Court Expresses Concern Over Delays
Despite these ongoing technical assessments, the High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace of development. The bench noted that the project should have demonstrated more significant advancement since the last update provided by the railway officials.
The court's primary objective is to ensure that the DPR is finalized without further procrastination, allowing the project to move swiftly toward the Railway Board's final consideration and subsequent implementation. This interstate line, connecting Nilambur in Kerala to Nanjangud in Karnataka, remains a vital link for the region's future growth.