Lok Sabha Question No. 246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Greenfield Railway Corridor to Vizhinjam International Seaport
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 246

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## GREENFIELD RAILWAY CORRIDOR TO VIZHINJAM INTERNATIONAL SEAPORT

## 246.   SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  status  of  processing  the  revised  estimate  of  AngamaliSabarimala new railway line project after the approval of same by Chief  Administrative  Officer  -  Finance  Southern  Railway  dated 6/11/2023;
- (b) whether the Railways consider to conduct a feasibility study for expanding AngamaliSabari railway line from Erumeli to Balaramapuram and make it as a green field railway  corridor to Vizhinjam International Seaport and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Railways  consider  to  conduct  a  feasibility  study about  the  possibility  of  Roll-on/Roll-off  service  facility  for  the plywood industry of Perumbavoor, pineapple and spices of Thodupuzha and rubber of Kanjirapally through Angamali- Sabari for  Angamali  -  Erumeli,  Sabari  Railway  project  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 246 BY SHRI HIBI EDEN TO BE ANSWERED IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  24.07.2024  REGARDING  GREENFIELD  RAILWAY CORRIDOR TO VIZHINJAM INTERNATIONAL SEAPORT

(a)  to  (c):    Angamali-Sabarimala  via  Erumeli  new  line  project  was sanctioned  in  1997-98.  Work  on  Angamali-Kaladi  (7  Km)  and  long  lead works on Kaladi-Perumbavoor (10 Km) was taken up. However, further works on this project could not be taken forward due to protests by local people against land acquisition and fixing of alignment of the line, court cases filed  against  the  project  and  inadequate  support  from  the  State Government of Kerala.

The Estimated cost of the project has been updated by M/s Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL) at  3726.95 crore and submitted to  Government  of  Kerala  on  15.12.2023  for  the  acceptance  of  the estimate and willingness to share cost of the project.  However, Government of Kerala has not communicated their views so far.

Meanwhile  on  public  demand,  a  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  of  new alignment  from  Chengannur  to  Pamba  which  is  a  shorter  route  for Sabarimala Shrine, has been taken up.

There  is  no  relation  between  Sabarimala  Rail  project  and  Vizhinjam International Seaport.

…2/-

Railway  projects  are  taken  up  on  the  basis  of  Remunerativeness, Railway's own  operational and commercial requirement, technoeconomic feasibility, terrain, obligatory points, demands raised by State Governments,  Central  Ministries,  Members  of  Parliament,  other  public representatives,  socio-economic  considerations  etc.  depending  upon throw forward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds which is a continuous and ongoing process.

Since 2014, there has been substantial increase in fund allocation and commensurate commissioning of projects in State of Kerala as under:-

| Period   | Average Outlay   | Increase w.r.t. average allocation of 2009-14   |
|----------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | 372 crore/year   | -                                               |
| 2023-24  | 2,033 crore      | 5.5 times                                       |

Though fund allocation has increased manifold but pace of execution of project is dependent on expeditious land acquisition. Railway acquires the  land  through  State  Government.  State  Government  assesses  the compensation  amount  and  advises  to  Railway.  On  receipt  of  demand from  State  Government,  Railway  deposits  compensation  amount  with concerned  District  Land  acquisition  Authority.  Execution  of  important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala is held up due to delay in land acquisition and only about 62.83 Ha land has been acquired  out  of  total  requirement  of   about  459.54  Ha.  Railway  had …3/-

initiated efforts for acquisition of land but could not succeed in acquiring land for projects though Railway has paid  2125.61 Crore to Government of  Kerala  for  land  acquisition.  Support  of  the  Government  of  Kerala  is needed to expedite the land acquisition. The feasibility study about Roll-on/ Roll - off service facility on a route is examined once line is commissioned.

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