THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Funds will be allocated in the state budget for the Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari line, which will help in the development of six districts. Kerala has to spend Rs 1,900.47 crore of the Rs 3,800.94 crore project cost. The railways have to be paid in instalments in five to ten years. The planning board has approved the allocation of money in the budget. The planning board assessed that it was necessary to make the Sabari line, which will be crucial in the movement of goods from Vizhinjam port, a reality in the future.
Though Kerala demanded that if money is withdrawn from KIIFB, it should be excluded from the borrowing limit of the state, the Centre did not respond. The Centre is also not interested in including it in the Rs 1.5 lakh crore loan scheme announced for infrastructure development in the Union Budget. The Centre's stand is that only money that can be spent in a year can be included in this. That is why the decision to allocate money as budgetary allocation has been taken.
Seven kilometers of rail and a bridge have been constructed and the route has been left halfway on the 111-km stretch announced in 1997-98.
The railways have handed over the draft of the agreement. The Centre and the state should sign an agreement with the Reserve Bank to pay half the cost. The condition of the agreement is that the central government will reduce the allocation allocated to Kerala state through various schemes if Kerala does not pay the money. Minister V Abdurahiman told 'Kerala Kaumudi' that Kerala is ready for a tripartite agreement and the Sabarimala route will be made a reality at any cost.
Rail corridor to the port
Cost for Angamaly-Erumeli line to be extended to Vizhinjam: Rs 4,800 crore
"The priority of the government is the Angamaly-Erumeli project. If there is a cabinet decision, the contract can be signed."
- V. Abdurahiman,
Minister