Half the cost of Angamaly-Erumeli Sabarimala rail line: Decision to provide KIIFB funds of  ₹1900 crore

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet meeting decided to release Rs 1900 crore from KIIFB, which is half the cost of the Angamaly-Erumeli Sabarimala rail line, which Kerala has been waiting for for three decades. 303.58 hectares of land will be acquired in Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts using this amount. The railways have announced that construction can start after that.

The cost of land acquisition is Rs 1361 crore and construction is Rs 2439.93 crore. The revenue authorities have been instructed to acquire the land. This is the first time that a state government has been entrusted with the responsibility of paying for a railway project.

Minister V Abdurahiman had called a meeting of the district collectors of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki and had directed them to issue a notification for land acquisition yesterday. A survey and social impact study have to be completed for land acquisition. Revenue officials and agencies have been assigned for this. The Revenue Department was also directed to re-establish land acquisition units and depute special tehsildars for land acquisition. The land acquisition notification will be issued soon.

The Cabinet meeting assessed that the Sabarimala rail line announced in the Railway Budget for 1997-98 will pave the way for the economic growth of the eastern hilly regions. The 111.48 km long line will provide safe and convenient travel facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims.

Eight km of land acquisition has been completed. 90 percent of the seven-km stretch from Angamaly to Kalady was completed. The remaining land acquisition has been notified, but it will have to be started again as the deadline has expired.

Beneficial for millions

1. This is beneficial for millions of people in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki districts and lakhs of Sabarimala pilgrims.
2. It is only 43 km from Erumeli station to Sabarimala. Special trains can be run from anywhere in the country during Mandala Period.
3. If extended to Thiruvananthapuram, it will also benefit the movement of goods in Vizhinjam. It can be connected to Tamil Nadu from Punalur.