Angamaly-Sabarimala Rail Line Moves Forward: Central Team to Visit Kerala in July
New Delhi: The long-awaited Angamaly-Sabarimala railway line, a dream project for the people of Kerala, is on the verge of becoming a reality, according to State Railway and Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman. The announcement follows a productive meeting between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, where the project was discussed in detail. The minister revealed that a team of railway experts will visit Kerala in July to address matters related to land acquisition.
Initially the project is proposed in the 1997-98 Railway Budget and approved by Indian Railways in 1998 following a preliminary engineering survey in 1996, this project is expected to significantly enhance connectivity for millions of Sabarimala pilgrims.
The railway project, stagnant for over a quarter of a century, is now gaining momentum. The land acquisition process is expected to resolve the concerns of hundreds of families affected by the project. During the half-hour discussion with the Union Railway Minister, Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized the project's significance. Additionally, a letter from E. Sreedharan, a key figure in India’s infrastructure development, regarding the semi-high-speed rail project is under review by the Union Railway Ministry. The letter was submitted on the 12th of last month.
Reports also suggest that E. Sreedharan will visit Delhi to meet the Railway Minister. The final approval for the project is likely to be granted following this meeting, marking a significant step toward improving connectivity and fulfilling a long-standing aspiration of Kerala's people and Sabarimala pilgrims.