Lost interest in Sabari project? Centre ready but Kerala still sluggish

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government is moving at a snail's pace on the Sabari Rail project despite the Centre clarifying that construction could begin immediately upon land acquisition. Although the previous government had informed the Centre of its willingness to bear 50 per cent of the project cost, the process of acquiring 303.58 hectares of land across Ernakulam, Idukki, and Kottayam districts remains sluggish. The Revenue Department has been shuffling the relevant file back and forth for months.

Boundary stones marking the 70-kilometre stretch from Angamaly to Ramapuram station (Kottayam) were laid two decades ago. Proceeding with land acquisition based on those old markers would entail paying massive compensation; consequently, the Revenue Department insists on conducting a fresh social impact study. The Cabinet must make the final decision on this matter. Meanwhile, the Railways wrote to the government requesting a meeting to review the progress of the land acquisition.

Extending the Angamaly-Erumeli railway line to Vizhinjam as a second phase would transform the region stretching from the port to Central Kerala into an industrial and economic growth corridor. This would enable rapid and cost-effective freight movement from the port. It could also secure interest-free loans from the Central Government for infrastructure development. Logistics hubs, as well as economic, commercial, agricultural, and trade zones, could be established along both sides of the railway line. Acquiring estates adjacent to the track would also provide the necessary land for such ancillary development.

1) The Sabari Rail Project would benefit millions of people across the Ernakulam, Idukki, and Kottayam districts, as well as the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala. The distance from the Erumeli station to Sabarimala is only 43 km.

2) The project could be included in the central scheme for constructing railway lines to towns with populations exceeding 50,000 that currently lack rail connectivity. This would foster development in areas like Idukki, which has never had railway access. It would also enable a rail link from Punalur to Tamil Nadu, and a dedicated line for freight transport could be constructed.

3) Products such as Vazhakulam pineapples and Perumbavoor rice could be rapidly exported via Vizhinjam Port. Perumbavoor is a major hub for the timber trade; establishing industrial units within estates to facilitate exports would unlock immense development potential.

"Land acquisition remains a major hurdle for the Sabari Rail project. Thirty-four development projects are being delayed due to the time taken for land acquisition." - Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railway Minister.