New Delhi: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on Wednesday that the Kerala government has not been very cooperative on railway projects, emphasizing that more can be achieved in the state with government support for land acquisition.
Vaishnaw made these remarks during the Lok Sabha’s Question Hour while responding to supplementary regarding the Angamali-Sabarimala railway line project, sanctioned back in 1997-98.
“It is a complex project and requires the cooperation of the state government to move forward,” Vaishnaw said, adding that a new alignment is under assessment.
The proposed railway line spans approximately 111 km, with the project along the old alignment falling about 35 km short of the Sabarimala shrine.
“There is public demand for an alternative alignment from Chenganoor to Pamba, which spans approximately 75 km. The new alignment is only about 4 km short of the shrine.
“A decision needs to be made in consultation with MPs and the state government on whether to proceed with the old alignment or the new alignment,” the minister said.
According to Vaishnaw, progress on the project has been hindered due to protests by locals against land acquisition and alignment fixing, court cases filed against the project, and insufficient support from the Kerala government.
Responding to a supplementary question from Congress member Adoor Prakash, Vaishnaw said, “I would like to place on record that the Kerala government has not been very cooperative on railway projects.
“I urge MPs to use their influence to secure support for land acquisition… Projects can only be initiated if the state government supports land acquisition.”
Furthermore, the minister stated that much more could be accomplished in Kerala “if the state government supports us.”
When asked whether the government plans to conduct a feasibility study to extend the Angamali-Sabarimala railway line from Erumeli to Vizhinjam International Seaport, Vaishnaw clarified that there is no connection between the port and the Erumeli line, with Nemom being the nearest railhead to the port.
The minister also highlighted that although fund allocations for railways in Kerala have increased significantly since 2014, with an average outlay of Rs 2,033 crore in 2023-24 compared to Rs 372 crore annually during 2009-14, the pace of project execution depends on expeditious land acquisition.
