Kochi: Like all railway stations big and small, its name was vividly written on a two-pillared concrete board, visible from a long distance. The two-storey building became clearer as we approached closer. We walked up to the ticket counter, the grills and glass windows of which were very much intact. We looked inwards and realised the files kept there had remained untouched for years. The writings on the inner walls were not signage or sanctioned murals, but unauthorized graffiti, mostly obscene, handiwork of anti-social elements who use the facility as their ideal hangout place. It was the Kalady railway station and the overall sight was disgusting.
Abandoned Infrastructure
Despite setting up the necessary infrastructure and allied facilities to start operations almost two decades ago, Kalady station has remained idle till date. The plight of the station reflects the status of the Sabari Rail project, touted as the state’s dream project three decades ago. With the state government deciding to allocate Rs 1,900 crore, which is 50% of the project cost, from KIIFB, the 111km Angamaly-Erumeli rail line project, with Kalady and 13 other stations along the stretch, looks set to get back on track. Residents are looking forward to it. The delay has made the lives of the landowners on the stretch miserable.
Decades of Delay
After a much-prolonged delay in completing land acquisition, the railway started the project‘s preliminary works during 2007-08 and later began work on Kalady station, the first after Angamaly, the origin point. “Except for one or two small stretches, the rails were laid up to Kalady and almost 90% of the physical work was completed. Now, Kalady station has become a hangout for antisocial elements,” said Angamaly block panchayat former member Sijo Chowaran.
“The railway line bifurcates a 7km Angamaly-Mattoor stretch, where Kalady station is located. Though railways constructed an underpass to facilitate the movement of people from one side to the other, it is too small for buses, trucks and other heavy vehicles. Railways constructed a bigger underpass for heavy vehicles but work on its approach roads has remained stalled for years,” Chowaran said.
“The road used for the siveli ritual of Lord Vadakkunnathan of Thiruvellamanthulli temple, where the idol is taken to a sub-deity temple on the other side of the railway line, has been cut off. The elephant carrying the idol can’t pass through the underpass due to height constraints. It is believed that Aryamba, mother of Adi Shankaracharya, found the idol lying in the area following a revelation in her dream and it was later consecrated in the temple there,” he said.
Land Acquisition Woes
While land has been acquired from Angamaly up to Kalady Bridge area, the process for taking over holdings along the remaining 101km stretch of the project alignment is yet to be completed. Land parcels have to be acquired in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki districts. The earlier acquisitions were done as per the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. Now, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 is the applicable one. The new Act mandates payment of market value plus 200% solatium to landowners in rural areas and market value plus 100% solatium in urban areas, increasing acquisition costs manifold.
“The stones demarcating alignment for the project were laid in our area, including in our property, in 1998. The uncertainty over land acquisition has made our lives miserable,” said K S Pareeth, an autorickshaw driver in his 70s from Kanjirakkad, Perumbavoor. “I was running a small-scale business, making packaging boxes for tomatoes, oranges, etc. I availed Rs 3 lakh as loan from Vallam Cooperative Bank in 2013 to run the business. After repaying a major portion, I took another Rs 5 lakh. Later, I faced some setbacks in business and had to stop it eventually. I couldn’t repay the loan and the amount has now more than doubled. The bank has filed a case against me demanding the amount. I’m unable to sell my four cents as nobody will buy a land demarcated for the Sabari Rail project,” he said.
Pareeth is one among hundreds of residents affected by the uncertainty of the project. “Though Perumbavoor municipality allotted a house for us under LIFE Mission, that too did not materialise. Prior to constructing a new house on my property in 2023, I approached railways for a no-objection certificate as insisted by municipal authorities, but it was denied. Railway officials said the project would materialise soon. I can construct or renovate the house on my own, they said, but I will have to demolish the building when the land is acquired,” Pareeth said.
Mohammed Kunju and Sulfi, both neighbours of Pareeth whose holdings also fall within the alignment, said they too face similar issues. “It is from KIIFB that the LDF government decided to allot Rs 1,900 crore. But the new government has some different plans for KIIFB. So, we have certain apprehensions,” Kunju said. Aisha, Pareeth’s wife, said, pointing to their house, “We are in deep fear. The house may collapse and a tragedy may occur anytime.”
Political and Official Responses
Prominent Congress functionary and Chalakudy MP Benny Behanan said the Sabari Rail project would come true. “I had a brief discussion with chief minister V D Satheesan on the topic. Sabari Rail project is one of the priority projects of the state,” said Behanan, who has raised the issue in Parliament several times. “It is a fact that the new government’s stance on KIIFB is different. Soon, we will hold a detailed discussion with the chief minister in this regard. Anyway, we will ensure that the project is materialised,” Behanan said.
Railways has started steps for preparing the design of the project. “We have invited tenders for selecting consultants to prepare the project‘s design. We are going ahead with other preparatory works as well,” a senior railway official associated with the project said.
Future Prospects
Now, there is a proposal to construct a cargo terminal in Thodupuzha as part of the project. “More than a million pilgrims from different parts of the state, country, and abroad visit Sabarimala every year. At the same time, Sabari Rail will become commercially more viable once the cargo terminal comes up. Spices, cash crops and fruits like pineapple, which are widely grown in Idukki and Kottayam districts and some parts of Ernakulam, can be transported to Nedumbassery airport via Sabari Rail. This can help extend the market for such goods. Moreover, clusters for making value-added products from these goods can be started around the Sabari Rail corridor,” Behanan said. And of course, Sabari Rail is a project with vast potential, provided the authorities invest ‘vision’ in implementing such mega projects.
