28 years after nod, Kerala’s Sabari Rail project gains momentum as state govt begins land acquisition process

The 111-km Angamaly-Sabarimala railway line project was sanctioned in 1997-98.

“Work on Angamaly-Kalady (7 Km) and long lead works on Kalady-Perumbavoor (10 Km) were taken up. However, further works on this project could not be taken forward due to protests by local people against land acquisition and fixing of alignment of the line, court cases filed against the project and inadequate support from the Government of Kerala. Therefore, the project could not proceed ahead,” said Vaishnaw in his written response.

The cost-sharing between the state and Railways was another issue after the project cost was revised to Rs 3,801 crore. Vaishnaw said that in August 2024, the Government of Kerala communicated its conditional consent to the Railways following which the latter requested the state to submit unconditional consent for sharing the cost.

Later, Vaishnaw requested Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to begin land acquisition with their 50% share in the cost of the project.

On February 4, the state cabinet approved Rs 1,905 crore for the project. Announcing the decision on X, Vijayan said, “To fulfil a long-cherished dream of the people of Kerala, the GoK is moving decisively to realise the Sabari Rail project. Even as the Union Government insists that the State bear 50% of the project cost (Rs 1,905 crore), we are stepping in through KIIFB to ensure this vital project is no longer delayed.”

The rail line will have 14 stops namely Angamaly, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Odakkali, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Vazhakulam, Todupuzha, Karimkunnam, Ramapuram, Bharananganam, Chemmalamattom, Kanjirappally and Erumeli.

He also said that plans are in place to extend the corridor via Punalur and Nedumangad to link it directly with Vizhinjam International Port, creating a lifeline for the hill regions and a major boost to Kerala’s economy.

Vaishnaw said in Lok Sabha that a survey from Erumeli toThiruvananthapuram new line (145 km) via Pathanamthitta and Punalur was carried out. However, the project could not be taken forward due to low traffic projections.

He further said that to provide rail connectivity to Vizhinjam International Seaport, a new line from Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam Port (11 km) has been taken up by Vizhinjam International Seaport limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of Government of Kerala under Non-Government Railway model.

Balaramapuram is a station on Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil section.

The Railways minister said that three additional rail doubling projects in the state — Ernakulam-Kumbalam (8 km), Kumbalam-Turavur (16 km), and Shoranur-Vallathol (10 km) — are delayed because of land acquisition issues.

Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with the Business Bureau of The Indian Express. He plays a critical role in covering India's massive infrastructure sectors, providing in-depth reporting on the connectivity lifelines of the nation. Expertise & Focus Areas: Mishra’s journalism is focused on two of the country's most capital-intensive and public-facing ministries: Ministry of Railways: Tracking the operations, safety, and development of India's vast railway network. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways: Covering policy decisions, infrastructure projects, and highway development. What sets Mishra apart is his rigorous use of the Right to Information (RTI) Actas a primary tool for news gathering. By relying on official data and government records, he ensures a high degree of accuracy and trustworthiness in his reporting. This data-driven approach has resulted in numerous impactful reports that hold public institutions accountable and bring transparency to government operations. Find all stories by Dheeraj Mishra here ... Read More

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