Centre and state join hands: Sabarimala rail line to become reality; support for E Sreedharan's high-speed rail

NEW DELHI/ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Angamaly-Sabarimala rail line, a crucial project on the railway map of Kerala, is moving forward after three decades. The Union Railway Minister announced yesterday that the land acquisition process is progressing under the leadership of the state government, which confirmed that the project will be implemented.

The Railway Minister announced that steps have also been taken for the Thirunavaya-Guruvayur (35 km) line. He also sought the support of the state government for land acquisition for this. Meanwhile, the Railway Minister's response in favour of the Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur high-speed rail line proposed by Metroman E Sreedharan raised expectations. The reply was that he always supports Sreedharan's work. Sreedharan opened his own office at his residence in Ponnani yesterday to prepare the DPR.

The state government will issue an order next week to share half the cost of the Sabarimala project and acquire land. Minister V Abdurahiman called a meeting of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki district collectors on Wednesday to issue a notification for land acquisition.

Sabarimala rail line worth Rs 3,810 crore

The revised estimate is Rs 3,810 crore. The state will bear 50% of Rs 1,905 crore. Land should be acquired and given using this share.

About 416 hectares of land should be acquired in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki districts. About Rs 1,400 crore will have to be spent. Seven kilometres of rail and a bridge have been constructed in the project announced in 1997.

Railway allocation for Kerala ₹3,795 crore

Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav announced that Kerala has been allocated ₹3,795 crore in the Union Budget on Sunday. ₹1,975 crore was allocated for the development of railway lines earlier. He also said that a letter has been written to the Chief Minister seeking support for completing the 105 railway overbridges announced in the past.

Projects entering DPR

👉Mangalore-Shoranur 3rd and 4th lanes (306 km)

👉Shornur-Coimbatore 3rd and 4th lanes (99 km)

👉Shornur-Ernakulam 3rd lane (106 km)

👉Ernakulam Kayamkulam 3rd lane via Kottayam (115 km): Field survey to begin soon

👉Kayamkulam-Thiruvananthapuram 3rd lane (105 km)

👉Thuravoor-Ambalapuzha lane doubling

👉Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil 3rd lane (71 km): Lidar survey, traffic survey in progress

Sabarimala rail line length: 111.48 km

Expenditure so far: ₹286 crore

Expenditure on ongoing projects in Kerala: 18,041 crores