After years of delay, Angamaly-Sabarimala railway line project moves ahead (Image generated using AI)Angamaly-Sabarimala railway line project: The Angamaly-Sabarimala railway line project has moved forward as the Kerala government began land acquisition. The project is expected to improve connectivity to the Sabarimala pilgrimage route and strengthen rail infrastructure in the region. The railway project in Kerala falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Southern Railway (SR) zone.In a written statement in the Lok Sabha on July 22, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said: “Now, on the request of Govt. of India, the Govt. of Keralam has initiated land acquisition proceedings and the Angamaly-Sabarimala new line project has moved forward. Ministry of Railways is following up the land acquisition process with Govt. of Keralam.”Vaishnaw also added that the Ministry of Railways has allocated Rs 505 crore for the Angamaly-Sabarimala railway project in FY 2026-27 to support its progress.Also Read | Indian Railways provides two bed sheets in AC coaches, here’s whyHistory of the Angamaly-Sabarimala railway projectThe 111-km-long Angamaly-Sabarimala via Erumeli new rail line project was approved in 1997-98. The Union Minister said that the work on 7-km-long Angamali-Kaladi section and long lead works on the 10-km Kaladi-Perumbavoor section had been taken up. However, the project could not move forward due to protests by people over land acquisition and the rail alignment, court cases, and inadequate support from the Kerala government.“The estimated cost of the Angamali-Sabarimala via Erumeli new line project was updated at Rs 3,801 crore and submitted to Government of Keralam for the acceptance of the estimate and willingness to share cost of the project,” he said.Vaishnaw said that in August 2024, the Kerala government gave its conditional consent for the project. The Ministry of Railways then asked the state government to provide unconditional consent for sharing the project’s cost.“Then the Minister of Railways requested the Chief Minister of Keralam to acquire land using their share of 50% of the cost of the project,” he added.Story continues below this adSabari rail project: Route, station listThe Sabari railway project will have 14 stations. These are: Angamaly, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Odakkali, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Vazhakulam, Thodaopuzha, Karimkunnam, Ramapuram, Bharananganam, Chemmalamattom, Kanjirappally and Erumeli.Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More