Don't abandon Sabari railway project

The news that the Sabari rail project, which Keralites have been waiting for the last twenty-five years, has been included in the Prime Minister's Gati Shakti Mission is a source of joy. The work of the Sabari rail line came to a halt with the completion of the construction of the seven kilometres-track from Angamaly to Kalady. The construction of nearly a hundred kilometres is to be completed. The Sabari rail line was also caught in the same mishap as many other rail development projects in the state. This railway will facilitate the development of the hilly areas and the all-round development of Sabarimala. At the time the project was being designed, the cost of construction was expected to be Rs 517 crore. However, it may now reach Rs 4000 crore.

It is certain that the Sabari rail line will get salvation if it is included in the Prime Minister's Gati Shakti Mission, which is intended to implement infrastructure and transport projects in the country. The Centre has directed the Railways to submit new estimates, which is also good news. The Sabari rail line will start from Angamaly and ends at Erumely. There will be fourteen stations. If the rail line is extended from Erumely to Punalur, then we will have one more rail line to Tamil Nadu in addition to the existing lines. The state has agreed to bear half of the cost of the Sabari rail line. Similarly, Railways will not have to bear other expenses related to land acquisition. The land of around 9000 people has been frozen for years in the places where the railway should pass. Many families are deeply troubled by the fact that they are unable to sell this land. With the project coming back to life, the state government should wake up and provide all necessary assistance to the Railways to complete the construction of the track in minimum time. It should initiate efforts to solve any problem that may hinder the construction of the road. No one should be allowed to obstruct construction work by deliberately creating crises.

At present, the railway development of the state is limited to only two lines. Even short-range new rail construction projects do not leave the paper and reach the implementation level. Many things, including signal upgrades, are in cold storage. When 'Vande Bharat' Expresses started running in some areas, Kerala also clamoured for it with great ambition. However, Kerala's demand was not accepted due to the lack of strength of the track. Recently, Vande Bharat service started from Chennai to Mysore via Bengaluru. 40 such trains are going to run on various routes within the next 3 years. Kerala is also entitled to get it. For that, it is time for the government and people's representatives to forget politics and come forward.