Latest news with #Angamaly-ErumeliSabariRail
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Sabari Rail project: Land acquisition process likely to be delayed
KOTTAYAM: Despite the Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari Rail project having received the green signal after a three-decade-long wait, resumption of the land-acquisition process -- required to complete necessary technical procedures -- is likely to be delayed. The initial notification for acquiring land was issued prior to the introduction of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act or LARR Act, 2013. Hence, the government will have to resume the entire process in accordance with the new legislation. According to officials, a new government order (GO) for land acquisition will be issued shortly. However, prior to this, the project must be reviewed and approved by the finance department. 'The government will issue a new GO. Based on that GO we will start preparations,' said John V Samuel, Kottayam district collector. As part of this, state Railway Minister V Abdurahiman, the other day, convened a high-level meeting to discuss further proceedings. It was attended by the district collectors of Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam. As part of this renewed effort, the land acquisition offices in Perumbavoor and Pala will be reopened, while new offices will be established in Muvattupuzha and Kanjirappally. 'Work on the project is expected to formally begin with the visit of a high-level team from Indian Railways early next month,' sources said. The meeting also decided to retain the existing alignment of the railway line. The project is being planned in such a way that land acquisition and construction can proceed simultaneously. As per current assessments, approximately 204 hectares of land will need to be acquired in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki districts. So far, 24.40 hectares have been acquired on the Angamaly-Kalady stretch.
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Sabari Rail gets nod, land acquisition to begin in July
KOCHI: Nearly three decades after it was sanctioned, the 111-km-long Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari Rail project is finally making progress. As per the details shared by the state's Railway Minister V Abdurahiman, all hiccups associated with the project, which was sanctioned in 1997-98, have been removed and land acquisition for the project will begin in July. The news has come as a huge relief to the 5,510 families living on the 70-km stretch of the 111-km rail project as they were blocked from carrying out any type of land transactions after their properties were surveyed and survey stones installed. 'This is a project the state government wants to come to fruition and it will take steps to ensure that happens. The nitty-gritty associated with cost-sharing and other issues were sorted out during the meeting with the Union minister and railway board authorities as per the decisions arrived at the recent cabinet meeting held in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,' Abdurahiman told TNIE. Earlier, when the state government had sought a loan from the Centre for the project, it was told the amount would be included in its borrowing limit. The state government had refused the proposal and sought a separate loan. 'The issue has been resolved. The state government has decided to shoulder the entirety of its share. We will see and tackle any fund issues as and when they arise,' Abdurahiman said, adding that the high land cost was a big issue in Kerala. 'In any other state, the total amount required to acquire land for the project would have been just 15% of the state's share. In Kerala, it is more than 30%,' he said. Prof K V Thomas, the state government's special representative in New Delhi, told TNIE that details regarding the continuance of the project will be hammered out by the state and Railway Board. 'They are ones with the know-how on project implementation,' he said, while also indicating the funds might be realised from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.
