New Delhi: The long-pending Angamaly-Sabari railway project, which has remained stalled for over 25 years, is finally set to be revived. Following a favourable decision by the Railway Board on Kerala’s longstanding demand, land acquisition for the project is scheduled to resume in July.

A key meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister in charge of Railways V Abdurahiman, Kerala’s special representative Prof. K.V. Thomas, and other officials resulted in a breakthrough decision. As part of this, an expert committee from the Railway Ministry will visit the proposed project site later this month.

With this development, the alternative Chengannur-Pamba railway proposal has been shelved.

Project history: From first approval to land acquisition

Originally approved in the Union Budget for 1997-98, the Angamaly-Sabari railway line spans 111 kilometres. A detailed land acquisition survey had been completed for a 70-kilometre stretch between Kalady and Ramapuram. The Kerala government has assured the Centre that there are no significant hurdles to proceeding with land acquisition in this segment.

The latest revised estimate puts the cost of the project at ₹3,810 crore. Kerala has already committed to bearing half of the total cost and has requested permission to finance its share through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The state has also sought an exemption for this amount from its borrowing limit, although the Centre has not yet provided a definitive response.

14 stops between Angamaly to Erumeli: 

The Angamaly-Sabari line is designed to connect Angamaly in Ernakulam district to Erumeli in Kottayam district. The line will pass through 14 stations: Angamaly Junction, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Odakkali, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Vazhakulam, Thodupuzha, Karimkunnam, Ramapuram, Bharananganam, Chemmalamattam, Kanjirappally Road and Erumeli.

It aims to improve connectivity to the Sabarimala temple, one of South India’s most prominent pilgrimage sites, by easing travel for millions of devotees annually.
Chengannur-Pamba route not feasible

The alternative Chengannur-Pamba railway line, although shorter at 58 kilometres, has been deemed financially unviable. The revised project cost for this route stands at ₹9,000 crore. While Kerala has expressed no objection to the Centre proceeding with the Chengannur-Pamba line, the state has made it clear that it will not share the cost burden.

As part of the revival process, Southern Railway has written to the Centre requesting that ₹20 crore from the ₹142 crore budget allocation be released immediately, while the remainder is retained for upcoming project activities.