Sabari railway construction work to be expedited; decision taken in discussion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Railway Minister V Abdurahiman said that steps will be taken to revive the construction work of the Angamaly-Sabari railway. The minister said this after holding discussions with top officials of Kerala in this regard.

It was decided to implement the Angamaly-Sabari railway in a discussion held in Delhi last week between the Chief Minister, Minister V Abdurahiman and the Union Railway Minister. A high-level railway team from the centre has also been scheduled to visit Kerala.

The collectors of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki districts, where the Sabari railway passes, the KRDCL Executive Director and the Chief Administrative Officer of the Railway Construction Department attended the meeting held on Wednesday. About 204 hectares of land need to be acquired in three districts for the Sabari railway.

Out of the required 152 hectares in Ernakulam district, 24.40 hectares have already been acquired. It has been agreed to restart the discontinued land acquisition offices in all districts and appoint more staff. The steps to start construction can be initiated with the visit of the Railway high-level team.