Executive Summary:
This document addresses concerns regarding delays in the Sabari Railway project. It clarifies that the Government of India does not view KIIFB borrowings as a current barrier. The Ministry of Railways has requested the Government of Kerala to provide unconditional consent for cost-sharing and to initiate land acquisition, which is the main impediment to the project's progress. Several railway projects in Kerala are delayed due to land acquisition issues.
Key Points / Main Content:
Sabari Railway Project Status:
* The Angamali Sabarimala new line project was sanctioned in 1997-98.
* Further work stalled due to local protests, court cases, and inadequate support from the Government of Kerala.
* The estimated project cost has been updated to ₹3801 crore and was submitted to the Government of Kerala in December 2023 for acceptance.
* In August 2024, the Government of Kerala conditionally agreed to cost-sharing, requesting KIIFB debt be exempt from the State's borrowing limit, which was rejected.
* The Ministry of Railways has requested unconditional consent from the Government of Kerala for cost-sharing.
* The Government of Kerala does not agree to enter into a tripartite agreement with the Ministry of Railways and RBI for the project.
* The Minister of Railways requested the Government of Kerala to acquire land using their 50% share of the project cost.
Land Acquisition Issues:
* Delays in land acquisition are hindering the execution of infrastructure projects in Kerala.
* Out of 476 Ha of land required for projects in Kerala, only 73 Ha has been acquired, with 403 Ha remaining.
* ₹2112 crore has been deposited with the Government of Kerala for land acquisition.
* Examples of projects delayed due to land acquisition include the Angamali Sabarimala new line, Ernakulam Kumbalam doubling, Kumbalam Turavur doubling, Trivandrum Kanyakumari doubling, and Shoranur Vallathol doubling.
Railway Network Strengthening:
* Surveys have been sanctioned for the following routes to strengthen the railway network in Kerala:
* Mangaluru Shoranur 3rd/4th Line (308 Km)
* Shoranur Coimbatore 3rd/4th Line (99 Km)
* Shoranur Ernakulam 3rd Line (107 Km)
* Ernakulam Kayankulam 3rd Line (115 Km)
* Kayankulam Thiruvanathapuram 3rd Line (105 Km)
* Thiruvananthapuram Nagercoil 3rd Line (71 Km)
Impact Analysis:
Government of Kerala:
* Impact: The Government of Kerala is responsible for providing unconditional consent for cost-sharing and for land acquisition, which is critical for project progress.
* Action Required: Provide unconditional consent for cost-sharing and expedite land acquisition for the Sabari Railway project and other railway infrastructure projects in the state.
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: The Ministry of Railways is responsible for the overall execution of the project and coordination with the Government of Kerala.
* Action Required: Continue to engage with the Government of Kerala to resolve land acquisition issues and facilitate project progress.
Local Population:
* Impact: The local population is affected by potential displacement due to land acquisition and stands to benefit from improved railway infrastructure.
* Action Required: Cooperate with land acquisition efforts, if applicable, to facilitate project progress.
Key Entities Referenced
Sabari Railway project: A railway project for which timely execution is being hindered due to financial and land acquisition issues.
Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB): A financial institution of the Government of Kerala, whose borrowings are a point of contention regarding exemption from the state's borrowing ceiling.
Government of Kerala: The state government involved in the Sabari Railway project, facing issues related to cost-sharing, land acquisition, and financial arrangements.
Ministry of Railways: The central government ministry responsible for the railway infrastructure and engaged in discussions with the Government of Kerala regarding the Sabari Railway project.
Angamali Sabarimala: The route of a new railway line project, facing delays due to land acquisition and alignment issues.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): An entity proposed to be part of a tripartite MoU along with the Government of Kerala and the Ministry of Railways for the Sabari Railway project.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Mangaluru Shoranur: A railway route for which a 3rd and 4th line survey has been sanctioned
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4382
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
DELAY IN SABARI RAILWAY PROJECT
4382. SHRI HIBI EDEN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether refusal to exempt Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund
Board (KIIFB) borrowings from the borrowing ceiling is hindering the
timely execution of the Sabari Railway project despite the State’s
willingness to share 50 per cent of the revised project cost and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has held any consultations with the
stakeholders regarding the financial structuring and cost-sharing of
the Angamali–Sabari Railway project, if so, the details thereof and if
not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received any request from the
Government of Kerala seeking exemption of the Kerala
Infrastructure Investment Fund Board borrowings for the Sabari
Railway project from the State’s borrowing ceiling and if so, the
details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to grant special exemption or
flexibility to the State of Kerala to raise funds through KIIFB
specifically for nationally significant infrastructure projects like the
Sabari Railway 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 (d): No, there is no barrier in progress of Angamali - Sabarimala
...2/--2-
project at present. Angamali - Sabarimala via Erumeli new line project
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
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 communicated their
conditional consent stating that the debt incurred by Kerala
Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) be fully exempted from the
State’s borrowing limit. 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 between State Government of Kerala, Ministry of Railways and RBI
for the project.
This is a practical way forward.
However, in the memorandum submitted by Govt. of Kerala to Ministry 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
...3/--3-
starts, work can proceed further. With this arrangement, Government of
Kerala can take the project forward.
As a follow up, a high level team from Ministry of Railways led by
Additional Member/Works met with Kerala Chief Secretary and other
senior officials on 29.07.2025. Govt. of Kerala was requested to initiate
land acquisition proceedings for this project so that the project can be
taken up.
Kerala:
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:-
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Total Land Balance
land acquired Land to be
SN Name of the project
required (in Ha) acquired
(in Ha) (in Ha)
Angamali - Sabarimala new
1 416 24 392
line (111 Km)
Ernakulam – Kumbalam Patch
2 4 3 1
Doubling (8 Km)
Kumbalam - Turavur Patch
3 10 9 1
Doubling (16 Km)
Trivandrum – Kanyakumari
4 41 36 5
Doubling (87 Km)
Shoranur – Vallathol Doubling
5 5 0 5
(10 Km)
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
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