Kerala has taken a crucial step forward with its Sabari Rail project expansion, as a meeting headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to seek central government approval regarding the same. According to the proposed plan, the expansion of the Angamaly- Erumeli-Nilakkal route, prioritizing development for enhancing the state’s connectivity and infrastructure.


Once the project gets approved, in the first phase the focus will be on completing the construction work on Angamaly-Erumeli-Nilakkal route as a single line. The doubling of the track will also be in the future. The Chief Minister highlighted that the project holds immense potential for boosting Kerala’s development. The project will be interlinked to Vizhinjam International Transshipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport instead of the previously planned Chengannur-Pamba route.

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In the meeting, it was also decided that 50% of the construction cost for this project would be borne by the Kerala Infrastructure Fund Board (KIIFB). The state will also request the central government to exclude this contribution from Kerala’s borrowing limits.

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Challenges for the project

The Sabari Rail Project was originally put forward in the 1997-98 railway budget and has faced several roadblocks. The project was postponed in 2019 because of funding issues. However, the land acquisition for the eight kilometers has been completed and notifications for the next 70 kilometers have been issued. The revised project costs around Rs 3,800.93 crore and Kerala has shown interest in bearing 50% of the expense.

During the meeting, it was also decided to oppose the need for a tripartite agreement involving the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Under this, if the Kerala government fails to pay its share of the project cost, the RBI will pay the amount on its behalf and will recover the money by deducting the funds from the central aid provided to Kerala for other development schemes.

Despite all these efforts, the central government has not agreed to revive the project till now. This meeting was also attended by key officials including Ministers and District Collectors.

(With inputs from PTI)