Sabari Rail project hits hurdle as Centre, Kerala government differ over cost sharing
Things seemed to get on track when a team from the Railway Ministry, comprising officials from the Railway Board, arrived in the state capital towards the end of July to hold discussions with the representatives of the state government to iron out the technicalities associated with the project.
It was hoped that the land acquisition would begin soon. However, things have gone back to square one, as is evident from the statement made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha, who blamed the state government for delaying the land acquisition process. He was replying to queries raised by MP Hibi Eden.
The Union minister said, 'The project was sanctioned in 1997-98. Work on Angamaly-Kalady (7 km) and long lead works on Kalady-Perumbavoor (10 km) were taken up. However, further works on this project could not be taken forward due to protests by local people against land acquisition and fixing of the alignment of the line, court cases filed against the project, and inadequate support from the state government.' He pointed out that the estimated cost of the project has been updated to Rs 3,801 crore and submitted to the state government in December 2023.
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