Kerala Kaumudi shows way: Move to get 50 percent state share for Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari railway line as loan from Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Move to get 50 per cent state share for the Angamaly-Erumeli Sabarimala railway line, which will benefit millions of people in six districts and Vizhinjam port in the future, as a loan from the Centre.

According to CAPEX, an interest-free loan scheme introduced by the Centre two years ago for infrastructure development of the states, Rs 11.11 lakh crore has been set aside in the current budget. There is also a repayment time of half a century.

The decision to convince the Centre of the need and importance of Sabari railway to get a loan from this was taken in a high-level meeting called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Chief Secretary, Planning Board Vice Chairman, Department Secretaries etc. attended the meeting. On Wednesday, 'Kerala Kaumudi' had reported that interest-free, long-term loans can be availed for Sabari railway from the central budget.

The construction cost of Sabari railway is 3800.94 crores. Out of this, 1900.47 crores will be spent by Kerala. The position of Railways is that they will not consider the project document without confirmation in this regard.

The Transport Secretary will be directed to prepare the application with maximum details and without undue delay. The Chief Secretary will verify the application and send it to Delhi and endeavour to secure the loan.

Though interest-free loan from the Centre are for big projects, efforts are being made to get the loan reminding the centre of the importance of the Sabari railway. The centre will be informed that the Angamaly-Erumeli rail route is better for Kerala than the Chengannur-Pamba 75km rail route for which the centre has given permission to conduct a location survey. The Pampa rail route will only have a station at Aranmula.

The elevated elevated double-track costing 8000 crores is entirely in forest land. The route will not be crowded except during the 45-day Mandala Kalam. Less potential for future development. No town in this area will benefit. It is also difficult to get permission for the project in 19 km of forest land. Studies will take years to complete.

• 7km of rail and a bridge have been constructed on the 111km Angamaly-Erumeli route. After spending 264 crores, the project was frozen by the Railways in 2019. All studies are complete.
• The project will increase transportation facilities in Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts. Rail facilities will be brought to hilly areas and the Idukki district which does not have railway connectivity.

200 crore wasted

100 crore has been allocated for the project in this year's central budget. 200 crore allocated in two central budgets has already been wasted.

"The state has to pay Rs 1,900 crore for expenses including land acquisition. The chief minister will decide what to reply to the centre. The file has been sent to the chief minister."

- Dr. V. Venu, Chief Secretary