Kerala promises to underwrite half the cost of ₹3,000-crore Angamaly-Sabari rail project contingent on Centre’s loan
Minister V. Abdurahiman tells Assembly that the Centre has repeatedly ‘stonewalled’ the project that, if implemented, will serve as a lifeline for Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam districts
Kerala has made a firm commitment, expressing its willingness to underwrite half the cost of the ₹3,000-crore Angamaly-Sabari railway project contingent on the Central government extending a loan to cover the estimated amount.
Replying to a submission moved by Congress legislator Eldhose P. Kunnappillil in the Kerala Assembly on June 27, V. Abdurahiman, the Minister for Railways, said the Centre had repeatedly “stonewalled” the project that, if implemented, would serve as a lifeline for Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam districts.
Mr. Abdurahiman said the Central government’s “procrastination” had increased the project cost severalfold. He noted several petitions and a delegation led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to meet the Union Railways Minister to expedite the project, which seemed to be of little avail.
Mr. Kunnappillil highlighted the struggles of the lakhs of people who own land along the proposed railway alignment. He said these individuals cannot buy or sell their property, use their houses or properties as collateral for bank loans, or develop on land that the government has frozen for the proposed railway.
He further emphasised the project’s economic benefits, which would provide pineapple, cardamom, rubber, and spice cultivators with a direct route to international markets via the Kochi and Vizhinjam ports. An extended line to Vizhinjam would also be a boon for plywood and furniture manufacturers in Central Kerala.
Mr. Kunnappillil said the railway station and the bridge across the river Periyar built in 1998 remained in disuse.
- Telegram
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