Kerala Government Approves Major Investment for Sabari Rail Corridor Development
In a significant move to boost regional connectivity, the Kerala government has decided to invest Rs 1,905 crore for the development of the long-pending Sabari rail project. This investment represents approximately 50 per cent of the total project cost, with the state government funding it through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
Chief Minister's Announcement and Economic Vision
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shared the decision on social media platform X, stating that the government is moving decisively to realize this vital infrastructure project. "To fulfil a long-cherished dream of the people of Kerala, the GoK is moving decisively to realise the Sabari Rail project," Vijayan said in his post.
The Chief Minister emphasized that despite Kerala being among the strongest revenue contributors to Indian Railways - with ticket sales from just nine major stations generating Rs 1,471 crore in 2024 alone - the Union Government has insisted that the state bear half of the project cost. Vijayan further revealed ambitious plans to develop the corridor and link it directly with Vizhinjam International Port, aiming to significantly boost Kerala's economic prospects through enhanced connectivity.
Project Details and Historical Context
The Sabari rail project involves the development of a 111-kilometer new rail line connecting Angamaly-Sabarimala to Erumeli. Originally approved in 1997-98, the project has faced numerous delays over the past 27 years. The completed corridor will feature 14 stations along its route:
- Angamaly
- Kalady
- Perumbavoor
- Odakkali
- Kothamangalam
- Muvattupuzha
- Vazhakulam
- Thodaopuzha
- Karimkunnam
- Ramapuram
- Bharananganam
- Chemmalamattom
- Kanjirappally
- Erumeli
Challenges and Delays Explained
The project's prolonged delay stems primarily from land acquisition issues. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's recent statements in Parliament, the project requires 416 hectares of land, but only 24 hectares have been acquired so far, leaving 392 hectares pending acquisition.
Vaishnaw cited multiple factors contributing to the delay, including:
- Protests by local residents over land acquisition and alignment issues
- Court cases filed against the project
- Inadequate support from the Kerala government in previous years
The Railway Minister noted that the estimated project cost has been updated to Rs 3,801 crore, with the updated estimate submitted to the Kerala government in December 2023. While the state government provided conditional consent in August 2024, they have not agreed to enter into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding involving the State Government of Kerala, Ministry of Railways, and Reserve Bank of India.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
Kerala Minister P Rajeev announced on Wednesday that land acquisition for the Sabari rail project will be expedited, signaling renewed commitment to the project. "Sabari Rail has waited for 27 years, not because Kerala lacked intent but because support from the Union government never came," Rajeev stated in his social media post.
With the state cabinet's decision to bear half the project cost through KIIFB, and renewed efforts to address land acquisition challenges, this vital rail link appears poised to move from planning to implementation phase after nearly three decades of delays.
