Railways consider rail route in cities with over half a lakh population; The Sabari project could be of benefit | So Good News

Kochi: Indian Railways has decided to build railway tracks in regions with a population of over half a lakh but without railway facilities. Manjeri, Malappuram, Kodungallur and Nedumangad in Kerala were included in the first list prepared by the railways.

The zonal railway officers are instructed to investigate the possibility of launching railway routes in the selected regions and submit the report by 2 December.

The Railway Board has distributed the format of Thodupuzha municipality, which is currently under the proposed Angamaly-Sabari railway project to the zonal officers. Hence, the latest decision may help ensure the approval of the Sabari railway soon. Discussions are on to include the proposed Sabari railway route in the PM Gati Shakti project.

The Sabari railway which was declared in 1997 will be 111 kilometers long. A seven kilometer track, a kilometer railway bridge and a railway station at Kalady were built seven years back.

Work on the railway route, which is divided into three phases, is progressing at a snail’s pace. The first phase comprises the regions of Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam, while the second phase comprises Ranni, Konni, Pathanamthitta and Punalur. The third phase begins from Punalur to Thiruvananthapuram via Nedumangad.

The Sabari Railway will also be useful for pilgrims to Sabarimala, Malayattoor and Bharananganam.

Currently, there are no objections to the proposed Sabari project. The state government which has given its nod to incur the expenditure has set aside Rs 2,000 crore through KIIFB funds.