Pathanamthitta lobby to topple Sabari project, E Sreedharan gives report

KOTTAYAM: A heinous motive is on the run in Kerala to topple the much-awaited Sabari rail track project in the state. The move has forced even union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav to implicit a walkout from the project. The new option says an elevated rail track from Chenagnoor to Pamba at a cost of Rs 12000 crore to substitute the touted Sabari.

The central government has already announced the Rs 264 crore Sabari rail track plans. From this, Rs 100 crore was already included in the budget by the union government. It is doubted that the Pathanamthitta lobby working against the project held covert meetings with railway officials forcing the drop. According to reports, veteran E Sreedharan has also submitted a report to the union minister about the durability and conducive nature of the project in the southern terrain. The union minister has slyly mentioned the possibility of the Chenganoor- Pamba elevated path.

A train with eight coaches will run on the elevated track. The train will start from Chenganoor and will pass through a number of stops including Ranni, and Athikayam among many others. Aranmula will be the lone station during the itinerary to Pamba.

The track is purported to be 50km. However, the project will run lucrative only during festive seasons. The train won't touch Erumeli or the Cheruvally estate area where the airport is turning true. The Sabari track was beneficial not only for trade but establishing an easy connect between Idukki with Ernakulam.