Angamaly Sabari Railway Project Faces Fresh Uncertainty After Budget Omission
Thiruvananthapuram: A day after Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan presented the Revised State Budget for 2026-27, the Sabari Railway Action Council Federation on Saturday(June 20,2026) strongly protested what it described as the government's neglect of the long-pending Angamaly-Erumely Sabari railway project.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
Expressing disappointment over the omission, the federation alleged that the maiden Budget of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government had pushed the project back into uncertainty by neither allocating funds nor mentioning it in the Budget document.
In a statement issued on Saturday, federation general convener and former MLA Babu Paul and secretary Jijo Panichanani said the omission had caused widespread disappointment and resentment among landowners affected by the proposed railway corridor.
“The Budget failed not only to allocate funds for the project but even to mention it. We request the Chief Minister to allocate at least ₹200 crore for the project during the current financial year while replying to the Budget debate,” the leaders said.
Stakeholders, particularly landowners whose properties have remained tied up in the project for decades, had reportedly pinned high hopes on the Budget amid renewed discussions surrounding the railway line in recent months.
The federation recalled that the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had agreed to bear half of the project cost following sustained protests and campaigns by the Central Action Council. According to the federation, the LDF government had earmarked ₹1,900 crore for the project through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) in its final State Budget and had also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Railway Board.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
Federation office-bearers further stated that steps had been initiated to establish dedicated land acquisition offices in Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Pala to facilitate the acquisition process. They added that the Railway Board had also begun follow-up procedures related to the project.
The proposed 111-km railway line is expected to provide a major boost to education, trade and tourism in the hilly regions of Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts. The project is also expected to improve connectivity and ease travel for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala.
Although the Centre sanctioned the railway project in 1997, progress has been repeatedly delayed due to land acquisition challenges, environmental concerns and disagreements between the Centre and the State government over cost-sharing arrangements.
While civil works in the Angamaly-Kalady stretch, including the construction of a railway bridge across the Periyar River, were completed several years ago, work on the remaining sections has yet to move forward significantly.