Latest news with #VAbdurahiman
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Sabari Rail gets nod, land acquisition to begin in July
KOCHI: Nearly three decades after it was sanctioned, the 111-km-long Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari Rail project is finally making progress. As per the details shared by the state's Railway Minister V Abdurahiman, all hiccups associated with the project, which was sanctioned in 1997-98, have been removed and land acquisition for the project will begin in July. The news has come as a huge relief to the 5,510 families living on the 70-km stretch of the 111-km rail project as they were blocked from carrying out any type of land transactions after their properties were surveyed and survey stones installed. 'This is a project the state government wants to come to fruition and it will take steps to ensure that happens. The nitty-gritty associated with cost-sharing and other issues were sorted out during the meeting with the Union minister and railway board authorities as per the decisions arrived at the recent cabinet meeting held in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,' Abdurahiman told TNIE. Earlier, when the state government had sought a loan from the Centre for the project, it was told the amount would be included in its borrowing limit. The state government had refused the proposal and sought a separate loan. 'The issue has been resolved. The state government has decided to shoulder the entirety of its share. We will see and tackle any fund issues as and when they arise,' Abdurahiman said, adding that the high land cost was a big issue in Kerala. 'In any other state, the total amount required to acquire land for the project would have been just 15% of the state's share. In Kerala, it is more than 30%,' he said. Prof K V Thomas, the state government's special representative in New Delhi, told TNIE that details regarding the continuance of the project will be hammered out by the state and Railway Board. 'They are ones with the know-how on project implementation,' he said, while also indicating the funds might be realised from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sabarimala rail to become reality, says Kerala minister
Thiruvananthapuram: The long-pending Angamali–Sabarimala railway line, eagerly awaited by the people of the state, is set to become a reality, said state minister in-charge of Railways V Abdurahiman. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking after high-level talks with Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi, Abdurahiman announced that procedures for land acquisition will begin shortly. A technical team from the Railways is expected to visit Kerala in July to assess the requirements on the ground. The announcement was made after a meeting led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in which Abdurahiman and Kerala's special representative in Delhi K V Thomas participated. "This is a long-cherished dream of Kerala's people. We are proud that the project is finally progressing under the leadership of the state govt," Abdurahiman said. The land acquisition process is expected to bring relief to hundreds of families whose properties are affected by the project, addressing long-standing concerns and ensuring fair compensation and rehabilitation. The govt aims to expedite the completion of the rail line, which remained stalled for years. The Angamali–Sabarimala project is now receiving top priority, Abdurahiman added. The state has also requested the Centre to speed up plans for constructing the third and fourth railway lines in Kerala to ease congestion in existing routes. Meanwhile, the minister clarified after the meeting that the LDF govt's ambitious SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project was not part of the discussions held with the Union minister. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Originally announced by the in 1998, the proposed 111km Angamali–Erumeli line is considered a crucial infrastructure project, primarily catering to millions of pilgrims travelling to the Sabarimala temple every year. The line is also expected to catalyse development in Kerala's south-eastern region. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state and the ministry of railways was signed on Jan 27, 2016. Although the project was estimated at Rs 2,815cr, the state govt after initial hesitation agreed to bear 50% of the project cost. In 2022, the state submitted a revised project estimate of Rs 3,421cr to the Indian Railways, a Rs 600cr increase from the earlier estimate. The Kerala govt has also proposed that the project be executed by the Kerala rail development corporation ltd (K-Rail), a joint venture between the state and the ministry of railways.
New Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Messi and Co's Kerala visit turning into messy affair
KOCHI: Off-again, on-again! The proposed visit of the Lionel Messi-led Argentina football team to Kerala is turning into a messy affair. Despite the state government's announcement last year -- and later silence -- that the world champions would play multiple friendlies in Kerala, the plan is now shrouded in uncertainty. And, the government, organisers and sponsors are now contradicting each other. Earlier in the month, after Argentina's international friendly schedule was published, which did not mention India, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman shifted the onus on sponsors, claiming he had nothing to say. TNIE had reported that the inability to mobilise funds for appearance fee -- amounting to Rs 70 crore -- has cast doubts on the team's Kerala leg of friendlies. On Saturday, the matter took another strange turn with the minister making contradictory statements -- initially saying that Messi & Co would skip the India visit, only to later claim that all was well and the team would play matches in Thiruvananthapuram. Abdurahiman went on to reassure the media that there is no cause for concern, stating that necessary steps are being taken. 'The government has done its part. The sponsors have informed us that they will make the payment. Although there has been a delay, there is no confusion or uncertainty,' he added.
Deccan Herald
09-05-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Kerala CM's programme in Malappuram postponed following Nipah case
Besides the CM's programme, an anti-drug campaign scheduled to be held in the district on Saturday, under the leadership of the State Minister for Sports V Abdurahiman, has also been postponed to another date in view of the Nipah virus infection.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Albiceleste's Kerala visit set to run aground over funding
KOCHI: The much-anticipated visit of the Argentina football team, including star player Lionel Messi, to Kerala appears uncertain over failure to mobilise funds for the team's appearance fee. Reports now suggest that the Latin American football giant will instead play friendly matches in China, Angola, and Qatar in October and November this year, casting doubts on Kerala's earlier announcement. The proposal, first revealed last November by state Minister for Sports V Abdurahiman, aimed to bring the reigning world champions to play two international friendlies in the state, one of which was to be held in Kochi. However, it appears that delays in arranging finances have affected the project. Initially, the sponsorship was given to a faction of the All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association (AKGSMA), which planned to raise the required funds -- around Rs 100 crore -- through sales via their 'Oloppo' app. Of this, Rs 70 crore was reported to be the appearance fee for the team alone. But when this failed to take off, the state government reportedly shifted sponsorship to the Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd, which owns the Reporter TV news channel. Sources indicate that the deadline to confirm the agreement has passed without meeting the necessary financial commitments. This has likely led to the team exploring other venues for their international fixtures. Further speculation arose after Argentine sports journalist Gastón Edul posted on social media that the national team would be playing two matches in China and one each in Angola and Qatar. Though he mentioned that the schedule was not fully confirmed, the update suggests that Argentina's October window is likely occupied. Back in March, HSBC India, which had partnered with the Argentina football team to promote the sport in India and Singapore, had announced, through an official statement, that the team would travel to India in October 2025. This announcement reinforced public expectations in Kerala, following earlier claims by the state government that the necessary permissions from the Reserve Bank of India and the Union Sports Ministry had been secured. Despite repeated attempts, HSBC India has not responded to queries about the team's schedule. Minister Abdurahiman, when asked about the current status, declined to comment and said the sponsors would provide updates. 'The sponsors will respond to the queries,' he told TNIE recently. The official sponsors also remain unreachable.
