T’puram: With the center does not heed repetitive demand from the state government to revive the Angamaly-Sabari train project, the state government has realized funds intended for projects for other train projects.
The Ministry of Finance issued orders on December 27, reallocation of Rs 38.16 Crore to Kannur Regency collectors, Kozhikode and Alappuzha for various other train development projects.
In order, RS 75 Lakh and Rs 95 Lakh are allocated for Kannur and Kozhikode Regency collectors, for the reconstruction of the main bridge in the Shoonur-Mangaluru section.
The rest of RS 36.46 Crore has been allocated back to Alappuzha for the railroad track project in the Ernakulam-Alappuzha section.
During his visit to New Delhi in October last year, Chairman of the Pinarayany Minister Vijayan had met the Ashwini Vaishnaw train minister and took issues related to the project together by asking for sanctions for the Silverline project.
The angamaly-erumy rail line proposed was originally announced in 1998 by train.
According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the State and the Train Ministry on January 27, 2016, it is an important project to meet the needs of travel from the increasing number of pilgrims from various parts of the country who visited the Sabarimala Temple and to spur the overall development of the southeastern part of the state.
The estimated project costs are Rs 2,815 Crore, where the country agreed to bear 50% costs, although at first the state insisted that it could not bear 50% of the project costs.
The minister’s chairman has also proposed in his meeting with the UNI train minister that the implementation of the project can be taken by Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd, the state and train government joint venture, which carries the Silverline project.
“The country has over the years repeatedly requesting the center to take the Sabari train project.
But the center has now freezed the project on the grounds that it does not have funds.
Except if the de-freez center, there is no point in allocating money for land acquisition for the project Funds are being used for other jobs, “said the above government source.
The train asked the state to accelerate and complete the land acquisition to double the railway line in the state, on March 31 next year as a fixed train board March 31, 2024, as a date to complete the multiplier process.