The Angamaly-Sabari railway line may soon become a reality as the state government has decided to bear 50% of the total cost of the project. The 111 kilometre-rail line will have 14 stations between Angamaly and Erumeli.
Reportedly, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) will be providing the funds on behalf of the state government for the 50% of the total cost. The total construction cost of the railway line is estimated as Rs 2,815 crore. The remaining 50% will be funded by the Union Railway Ministry. If necessary, the line could be extended to Tamil Nadu in the future.
The proposed rail project will add Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple into the railway network. According to reports, 90% of railway line construction up to Kaladi station (7km) was completed in 2010.
The state government had signed the agreement to share the project development expenses in 2016, which was later issued as an order.
The Kerala revenue department had completed all formalities relating to land acquisition in Chelamattom, Perumbavoor and few other villages, and declared the land value of the acquired land for this railway line. However, the distribution of land prices to the owners has not taken place due to lack of funding from the Union Railway Ministry.
The proposed rail project will ease the transportation problems faced by the people of Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts.
