Kochi: Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has recommended extending the proposed Angamaly–Erumely Sabarimala rail line to Thiruvananthapuram. The State Government had tasked KRDCL with studying the proposal.

The Kerala Government has already decided to proceed with the Angamaly–Erumely line. Therefore, the State is likely to consider the proposal for a feasibility study on extending it.

The 111-km Angamaly–Erumely Sabarimala line has 14 stations. The State Government is preparing to reopen land acquisition offices. Once the land acquisition notification is issued, the Railways will revoke the decision to keep the project frozen.

KRDCL is a joint venture of the Kerala Government and the Union Ministry of Railways.

Rail link to Nedumangad

The Railways had earlier announced a plan to construct lines to cities with populations of 50,000 or more that lack rail connectivity. Nedumangad is included in this category. The proposed route from Erumely to Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram district is 160 km long and will have 13 stations.

The Railways conducted a preliminary survey in 2013 to extend the Sabarimala line from Erumely to Thiruvananthapuram, but the project did not proceed due to the assessment of low revenue potential.

Since then, the number of vehicles has increased manifold. Roads are at a stage where further expansion is not possible. Travel time on the MC Road has increased due to traffic congestion. KRDCL says that freight movement from the Vizhinjam International Seaport may become unmanageable without this rail corridor.

Proposed stations

  • Erumely
  • Athikkayam
  • Perinad Road
  • Pathanamthitta
  • Konni
  • Pathanapuram
  • Punalur
  • Anchal
  • Kilimanoor
  • Venjaramoodu Road
  • Nedumangad
  • Kattakkada
  • Balaramapuram