NewzVille Desk
Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to questions in Rajya Sabha today informed that, Angamali – Sabarimala via Erumeli new line project was sanctioned in 1997-98 on 50:50 cost sharing basis. Work on Angamali-Kaladi (7 Km) and long lead works on Kaladi-Perumbavoor (10 Km) was taken up.
However, further works on this project could not be taken forward due to protests by local people against land acquisition and fixing of alignment of the line, court cases filed against the project and inadequate support from the Government of Kerala. Accordingly, the project was kept under abeyance in Sept, 2019.
Subsequently, to provide connectivity to Sabarimala Shrine, a survey on alternate alignment i.e. Chengannur – Pamba (75 Km) new line was also carried out. However, the project was not found feasible.
Meanwhile, the estimated cost of the Angamali – Sabarimala via Erumeli new line project was updated at ₹3,801 crore and submitted to Government of Kerala for the acceptance of the estimate and willingness to share cost of the project.
In August 2024, the Government of Kerala communicated their conditional consent. Government of Kerala was requested by Railway to submit unconditional consent for sharing the cost.
Then the Minister of Railways requested the Chief Minister of Kerala to acquire land using their share of 50% of the cost of the project. Once land acquisition by State starts, work can proceed further.
Now, on the request of Ministry of Railways, the Govt. of Kerala has initiated land acquisition proceedings and the Angamali – Sabarimala new line project has moved forward. Ministry of Railways is following up the land acquisition process with Govt. of Kerala.
This year the Budget allocated for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala including Angamali – Sabarimala project is ₹3,042 crore.
