Sabari Railway Action Board omits the project in the budget and demands an allocation of ₹200 crore

A day after Chief Minister VD Satheesan presented the revised state budget for 2026-27, the Sabari Railway Action Board Federation on Saturday (June 20, 2026) strongly protested the alleged neglect of the much-delayed Angamaly-Erumela Sabari railway project in the first budget of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government.

Noting that the omission was disappointing, the federation argued that the adjusted budget pushed the project back into limbo. “The budget has not only failed to allocate funds for the project, it has failed to even mention it. This has caused disappointment and resentment among the land owners in the project area. We request the chief minister to allocate at least ₹200 crore for the project during the current financial year and at the same time respond to the debate on the budget,” said the federation’s general convener and former MLA Babu Paul and secretary in Jijo on Saturday.

Stakeholders of the project, especially landowners along the proposed rail corridor whose property has been stuck in the project for decades, had high hopes for the budget as there has been renewed interest in the project in the recent past.

“The previous Left Democratic Front government, after persistent protests and campaigns by the Central Action Council, agreed to share half the cost of the project. It allocated ₹1,900 crore for the project through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board in its last state budget and signed an MoU with the Railway Board,” federation officials said.

They added that steps have been initiated to open dedicated land acquisition offices at Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Pala for land acquisition, while the Railway Board has also initiated follow-up procedures.

Apart from improving travel for Sabarimala pilgrims, the proposed 111 km railway line would significantly boost education, commerce and tourism in the hilly areas of Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts.

Although the project was approved by the Center in 1997, it faced repeated delays due to land acquisition issues, environmental concerns and cost-sharing disagreements between the Center and the state. Construction work on the Angamaly-Kalady section, including the railway bridge over Periyar, was completed years ago, but work on the remaining sections has not progressed.

Published – 20 Jun 2026 20:23 IST