The initial survey for the Ernakulam–Kayamkulam line via Alappuzha was started in 1975. The initial proposed alignment of the railway line from Ernakulam Junction to Alappuzha has been changed after protests from various quarters. This line was mentioned in 1977-78 final budget. The final alignment of the route which was approved was Ernakulam–Konthuruty–Nettor–Kumbalam–Aroor–Cherthala–Alappuzha. The construction of railway line was started on 15 April 1979 and the construction has been divided into two reaches as Ernakulam–Alappuzha reach and Alappuzha–Kayamkulam reach.
Ernakulam–Alappuzha section
The construction of this coastal railway line in Ernakulam Junction–Alappuzha railway station section was started in 1979. Construction of Alleppey-Ernakulam new B.G. Railway line has been included in the budget for 1979-80, with a proposed outlay, of Rs. 1 crore in the coming financial year 1979-80. Around 140 hectares of land was acquired for laying the railway lines. 11 new railway stations and 6 major bridges has been constructed along this route. The total cost outlay was 7 crores and the total length of the railway line is 54 km. The line was opened to railway traffic on 16 October 1989.
Alappuzha–Kayamkulam section
The construction of Alappuzha–Kayamkulam section was started as part of second phase of coastal railway development and the alignment was via Alappuzha–Punnapra–Ambalappuzha–Haripad–Kayamkulam. The total length of the railway line was 45 km and the line was opened to railway traffic on 1992. Thus the Ernakulam Junction–Alappuzha coastal railway line has been connected to Kayamkulam Junction railway station–Kollam Junction main railway line.
Stations
There are 18 stations along this route. Alappuzha, Cherthala, Haripad, Ambalappuzha stations are the major stations along this route.
Electrification & track doubling
–Alappuzha–Kayamkulam railway line is fully electrified. The double line work on 13 km Kayamkulam–Haripad section has been completed and the double line track was commissioned in January 2012. The track doubling work for Haripad– Ambalapuzha is currently in progress. Track laying between Thakazhi and Ambalappuzha are nearly complete and works between Thakazhi and Haripad are through. The doubling works for the Ambalapuzha- Ernakulam junction sector is painfully slow. There is not even a sign of any earth works or anything happening in this stretch at present.
There must be a by pass line connecting Cochin Harbour Terminus railway station line with Alappuzha line near Kochu Kadavanthra and Thevara. It will help decongest Ernakulam Junction railway station and help start more south bound trains via Alappuzha.
Timely completion of doubling of line and improvement of signalling in a manner such that headway will be minimum. This will help start Kollam - Alappuzha - Kochi suburban trains.