The Central Government has withdrawn the suspension of the Angamaly–Sabarimala railway line project, as confirmed by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a discussion with Members of Parliament from Kerala, including Benny Behanan, Anto Antony, Dean Kuriakose, M K Raghavan and V K Sreekandan.

With this development, the project is expected to gain momentum. The Minister conveyed that the plan is not in a state of uncertainty and assured cooperation with the Kerala government to resume the work swiftly. A Central team will be dispatched to review the preparations.

During a recent meeting with the Railway Minister, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the state is willing to bear 30% of the cost for land acquisition. The Minister also stated in the Lok Sabha that if the Kerala government commences land acquisition using 50% of the project cost as the state’s share, the Angamaly–Sabarimala railway line project can proceed.
First phase set to begin with ₹600 cr allocation for land acquisition 
The first phase of the project, up to Thodupuzha, spans 58 kilometres. The cost of land acquisition up to this point is approximately ₹600 crore. A social impact study for this area has already been completed. The second phase will extend from Thodupuzha to Ramapuram, covering another 12 kilometres. The Kerala government will also bear the cost of land acquisition for this section.

The revised estimated total cost of the project stands at ₹3,801 crore. Of this, ₹120 crore is allocated specifically for land acquisition, and the state government has expressed its willingness to meet this requirement. However, a technical concern had earlier arisen about proceeding with land acquisition without officially lifting the suspension order on the project.

This issue now appears to be resolved.

During the meeting, the MPs also submitted a memorandum to the Minister. Kerala’s stance—that no tripartite agreement has yet been signed, and that the cost should not be included in the state's borrowing limit—was also discussed. The Union Minister clarified that any such agreement would require approval from the Ministry of Finance. A tripartite agreement involving the Kerala Government, the Ministry of Railways, and the Reserve Bank of India is essential for moving forward.

Southern Railway has already given in-principle approval to revive the project. In continuation of this, the Chief Minister met the Railway Minister in person in New Delhi.

Previously, the state had convened a meeting of all stakeholders to begin land acquisition, but the suspended status of the project had caused technical delays. These concerns have now been addressed, enabling progress.