Kochi: The district collectors of Ernakulam and Kottayam have written to the Indian Railways seeking details on the status of the Angamaly–Erumeli Sabari Rail Project. They have also gathered information on proposed land acquisition offices and staffing needs, which the Railway Construction Department has conveyed to the Railway Board.

Railway Board Additional Member (Works) Rakesh Agarwal had assured Chief Secretary A Jayathilak during a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram two months ago that the freeze on the project would likely be lifted as the state begins land acquisition.

The collectors’ letter sought clarification on alignment, required land, survey numbers and related details. The project was frozen in 2019 because of construction delays, preventing the use of central budget allocations. The state has yet to provide a written assurance to the Railway Construction Department that it will bear half the project cost.

303 hectares required

The Sabari railway line requires 303 hectares of land: 152 hectares in Ernakulam, 120 in Kottayam and 31.64 in Idukki. Two land acquisition units are planned for Ernakulam, one at the Muvattupuzha Civil Station for Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha taluks, and another at the Angamaly Civil Station for Aluva and Kunnathunadu taluks. A total of 46 officials, including two special tehsildars, will be needed in the district.

‘We will move quickly’

“We are trying to move things as quickly as possible. If necessary, we will visit areas where the Sabari rail passes. We understand the difficulties of the people,” Ernakulam District Collector G Priyanka said.