Kerala funds 50% of Sabari rail

• Govt allocates Rs 1,900 crore via KIIFB.
• Project spans 110 km, aiding pilgrims.
• Land acquisition for 303.58 hectares begins.

The Kerala government has announced it will cover 50% of the costs for the long-delayed Angamaly-Erumely Sabari railway project, allocating Rs 1,900 crore

through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). This decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and the railway line, proposed in the 1997-98 budget, spans 110 kilometers, aiming to enhance travel for Sabarimala pilgrims and stimulate economic growth in Ernakulam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta districts.

Project Background and Importance

The Sabari railway project has been a significant infrastructure initiative in Kerala, aimed at providing a safer and more convenient travel option for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala. The project is also expected to invigorate economic activity in the eastern highland regions of the state.

Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized the government's commitment to realizing the project, stating, 'Even as the union government insists that the state bear 50 percent of the project cost, we are stepping in through KIIFB to ensure this vital project is no longer delayed.'

Financial Commitment and Land Acquisition

The overall cost of the Sabari railway project has escalated to Rs 3,800.9 crore, a significant increase from the initial estimate of Rs 2,815 crore. The Kerala government will cover half of this revised cost.

To facilitate the project, approximately 303.58 hectares of land will need to be acquired, with Rs 1,361 crore allocated for land acquisition and Rs 2,439.93 crore designated for construction.

Cabinet Decisions and Future Plans

The cabinet has instructed revenue authorities to initiate land acquisition and will notify the Union Railway Ministry of its financial commitment to the project. This marks a historic moment as it is the first time a state government is contributing such a substantial share to a railway project.

Vijayan also revealed plans to extend the railway corridor via Punalur and Nedumangad, which would connect it directly to the Vizhinjam International Port, significantly benefiting the region's economy.

Challenges Faced

Despite its potential, the Sabari railway project has faced numerous challenges over the past 25 years, primarily due to land acquisition issues and insufficient funding in previous railway budgets. The cabinet's recent decision aims to address these long-standing hurdles and expedite the project's completion.

Other Cabinet Approvals

In addition to the railway project, the Kerala cabinet approved the transfer of land in Thiruvananthapuram for the establishment of the Ayya Vaikunda Swami Memorial Library and Cultural Centre, as well as the acquisition of 60 acres near the VSSC campus for a proposed Aerospace Control Systems Centre.