Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): The construction of Sabarimala rail line from Angamaly to Ayyapan shrine is set to get a new lease of life after the Kerala state cabinet on Wednesday decided to bear half the cost for the construction of rail line, a dream project of the State.
The cabinet has decided to bear 50 per cent of the estimated project cost of the project, which was stalled by the Railways. The funds would be used through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), the Cabinet has decided.
The total estimated cost for the project is Rs 2815.62 crore. The State has now decided to bear half of the estimated cost to lay the rail from Angamaly to Sabari via Erumely.
The project was designed considering the convenience of the number of pilgrims reaching Sabarimala from different parts of the country. It was also expected to catalyse the development in the South East region of the State.
The Sabari Rail project of Rs 517 crore was sanctioned and declared in 1997-98 Railway Budget. However, beyond the declaration, nothing further happened over the two decades. Now, the cost of the project has risen to Rs 2815, and the Railways told the State to share the total cost.
READ: Sabarimala: Pilgrims reach Sannidhanam for Makaravilakku pilgrimage
The State had informed its difficulty in sharing the cost after which the Railways stalled the project. State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had even talked to the Prime Minister urging him to implement the project at the Railway’s expense as it is a national pilgrim centre. However, the Centre and the Railways did not budge.
With this the State has now decided to share half the cost through KIIFB, giving a new lease of life to the stalled Sabari Rail project.
Agreeing to share the cost, the State has put forth certain conditions to the Railways. The Railways must carry out the operation and maintenance of the project. The railway stations en route must be developed by the company in a private-public partnership model. The Railways should also pay 50 per cent of the revenue from the project, after expenses, to the State.
The cabinet also considered the possibility of stretching the Sabari rail project up to Punalur, in Kollam district, so that it can be extended to Tamil Nadu, in future.
Besides Sabari project, the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday has decided on appointing Dr V P Joy IAS, who is serving on Central deputation, as the Additional Chief Secretary (Officer on special duty). The Cabinet also made decisions on creating fresh positions at Palakkad Government Medical College and partially waiving the rent for the licensees of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), in Wednesday’s meeting.
