Thiruvananthapuram: In a decisive move to revive the long-delayed Angamaly–Erumeli Sabarimala rail project, the Kerala government has issued an official order sanctioning ₹1,900 crore for the railway line. The funding approval follows a Cabinet decision to share the project cost with Indian Railways, and a copy of the order has been forwarded to the General Manager of Southern Railway. The state government will also formally inform the Union Ministry of Railways that Kerala has initiated all required procedures to move the project forward.
The 111-km rail corridor, with a total project cost of ₹3,800.9 crore, will see the state bearing nearly half the expense, including land acquisition and compensation. For acquiring the remaining 391.6 hectares of land, ₹1,361 crore will be released through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), with a separate order expected shortly. Land acquisition will span Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts, overseen by a special officer appointed by the Revenue Department. The project is expected to bring long-awaited relief to landowners affected by acquisition notifications for nearly three decades and offer a major boost to regional connectivity, including benefits for pineapple farmers in Vazhakulam. The Sabarimala rail line is also notable as a rare instance in Indian railway history where a state government is making such a significant financial contribution to a railway project.
