Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses concerns regarding the Angamaly-Sabarimala railway line project, sanctioned in 1997-98. The project faces delays due to land acquisition protests, court cases, and insufficient support from the Kerala government. The Ministry has requested the Government of Kerala to provide unconditional consent for cost-sharing and to expedite land acquisition, which is crucial for project progress.
Key Points / Main Content:
Project Status and Challenges:
* The Angamaly-Sabarimala project has been stalled due to local protests, court cases, and inadequate support from the Kerala government.
* The estimated project cost is ₹3801 crore, submitted to the Government of Kerala in December 2023 for acceptance and cost-sharing willingness.
* The Government of Kerala communicated conditional consent in August 2024 and has been requested to submit unconditional consent.
* The State Government of Kerala does not agree to enter into a tripartite agreement with the Ministry of Railways and RBI.
* Land acquisition delays hinder infrastructure project execution in Kerala.
Land Acquisition:
* Of the 476 Ha of land required for projects in Kerala, only 73 Ha has been acquired, leaving a balance of 403 Ha.
* The Railways has deposited ₹2112 crore with the Government of Kerala for land acquisition.
Railway Development in Kerala:
* Budget allocation for infrastructure and safety works in Kerala has increased from ₹372 crore/year (2009-14) to ₹3,042 crore (2025-26).
* Surveys have been sanctioned to strengthen the railway network, including the Mangaluru-Shoranur, Shoranur-Coimbatore, Shoranur-Ernakulam, Ernakulam-Kayankulam, Kayankulam-Thiruvanathapuram and Thiruvananthapuram-Nagercoil routes.
Factors Affecting Project Completion:
* Project completion depends on land acquisition, forest clearance, shifting utilities, statutory clearances, geological conditions, and law and order.
Impact Analysis:
Government of Kerala:
* Impact: The Government of Kerala is critical to the project's success due to its role in land acquisition and cost-sharing. Delays in land acquisition are significantly impacting project timelines.
* Action Required: Provide unconditional consent for cost-sharing, expedite land acquisition using their share of 50% of the project cost, and support the project to ensure timely and effective implementation.
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: The Ministry is responsible for executing the project but is dependent on the support and actions of the Government of Kerala.
* Action Required: Continue to pursue the Government of Kerala for land acquisition support and explore alternative solutions to overcome the challenges.
Local Population:
* Impact: The local population will benefit from improved railway infrastructure, but some may be negatively impacted by land acquisition.
* Action Required: Cooperate with the land acquisition process while voicing concerns and seeking fair compensation.
Key Entities Referenced
Angamali Sabarimala via Erumeli: A new railway line project sanctioned in 1997-98.
AngamalySabari Rail Project: A railway line project between Angamaly and Sabarimala.
Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL): A corporation involved in the AngamalySabari railway line project.
PM Gati Shakti: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity to various projects in India.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Government of Kerala: The state government of Kerala, involved in land acquisition and cost-sharing for railway projects.
RBI: Reserve Bank of India, proposed to be part of a tripartite MoU for the Angamaly Sabarimala project.
Ernakulam District, Kerala: District in Kerala where several railway projects are facing delays due to land acquisition issues.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2906
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
ANGAMALY-SABARI RAIL PROJECT
2906. SHRI HIBI EDEN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited
(KRDCL) is expected to execute the Angamaly-Sabari
railway line project, if so, the details thereof and if not, the
reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Railways plans to inform the anticipated
timeline for this project, if so, the details thereof and if not,
the reason therefor;
(c) whether the Railways intends to include this project in PM
Gati Shakti, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason
therefor;
(d) whether the Government has observed delays by the railway
board in approving revised estimates and if so, the reasons
for these delays; and
(e) whether the Government plans to expedite the entire
process for timely and effective implementation of the
project, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons
therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): Angamali - Sabarimala via Erumeli new line project
…2/--2-
was sanctioned in 1997-98. Work on Angamali-Kaladi (7 Km) and
long lead works on Kaladi-Perumbavoor (10 Km) was 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
alignment of the line, court cases filed against the project and
inadequate support from the State Government of Kerala.
The estimated cost of the project has been updated at ₹3801 crore
and submitted to Government of Kerala in December, 2023 for the
acceptance of the estimate and willingness to share cost of the
project.
In August 2024, the Government of Kerala has communicated their
conditional consent. Government of Kerala has been requested by
Railway to submit unconditional consent for sharing the Cost.
The Government of Kerala has also been requested to enter into
tripartite MoU among State Government of Kerala, Ministry of
Railways and RBI for the Project.
However, in the Memorandum submitted by Govt. of Kerala to
Minister of Railways on 3rd June, 2025, it has been intimated that
State Govt. of Kerala does not agree to enter into tripartite
agreement.
In the recent meeting with the Chief Minister of Kerala, Minister of
Railways requested the Government of Kerala to acquire land using
their share of 50% of the cost of the project. Once land acquisition
by State starts, work can proceed further.
…3/--3-
+.
Budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works,
falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala is as under:
Period Outlay
2009-14 ₹372 crore/year
2025-26 ₹3,042 crore (more than 8 times)
Execution of important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in
the State of Kerala are held up due to delay in land acquisition.
Status of land acquisition in the State of Kerala is as under:
Total Land required for Projects in Kerala 476 Ha
Land Acquired 73 Ha (15%)
Balance Land to be acquired 403 Ha (85%)
Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however
success depends upon the support of Government of Kerala.
Railway had deposited ₹2112 crore for land acquisition to
Government of Kerala. Support of the Government of Kerala is
needed to expedite the land acquisition. For instance, details of
some major projects which are delayed due to land acquisition are
as under:-
SN Name of the project Total land Land Balance
required acquired Land to be
(in Ha) (in Ha) acquired
(in Ha)
1. Angamali - Sabarimala new 416 24 392
line (111 Km)
2. Ernakulam – Kumbalam 4 3 1
Patch Doubling (8 Km)
3. Kumbalam - Turavur Patch 10 9 1
Doubling (16 Km)
4. Trivandrum – Kanyakumari 41 36 5
Doubling (87 Km)
5. Shoranur – Vallathol 5 0 5
Doubling (10 Km)
…4/--4-
The Government of India is working diligently to strengthen the
railway network in Kerala. To strengthen the railway network
passing through Kerala, the following surveys have been
sanctioned:
SN Route Length
1 Mangaluru – Shoranur 3rd & 4th Line 308 Km
2 Shoranur – Coimbatore 3rd & 4th Line 99 Km
3 Shoranur – Ernakulam 3rd Line 107 Km
4 Ernakulam - Kayankulam 3rd Line 115 Km
5 Kayankulam - Thiruvanathapuram 3rd Line 105 Km
6 Thiruvananthapuram – Nagercoil 3rd Line 71 Km
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors like
quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by
officials of forest department, shifting of infringing utilities,
statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and
topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area
of project/s site, number of working months in a year for particular
project site etc. All these factors affect the completion time and
cost of the project/s.
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