Lok Sabha Question No. 2557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Implementation and Details of the Sabari Rail Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2557 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## IMPLEMENTATION AND DETAILS OF THE SABARI RAIL PROJECT

## 2557     SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  implementation  of  the  Sabari  Rail Project;
- (b) the specific locations through which the Sabari Rail Project will pass;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  provided  a  detailed  list  of  the railway stations that will be established as part of the Sabari Rail Project;
- (d) the expected timelines for the completion of each phase of the Sabari Rail Project;
- (e) the  details  of  the  plan  of  the  Government  to  address  any environmental  or  social  concerns  related  to  the  areas  through which the Sabari Rail Project will pass; and
- (f) the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure minimal disturbance to local communities during the construction of the said Project?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2557 BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.08.2024 REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION AND DETAILS OF THE SABARI RAIL PROJECT (a)  to  (f):    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  proposed  alignment  of  the  project  is  passing  through  Kaladi, Perumbavoor,  Odakkali,  Kothamangalam,  Muvattupuzha,  Thodupuzha, Karimkunnam, Ramapuram, Bharananganam, Chemmalamattom, Kanjirappilly. 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,  a  public  demand  has  been  received  for  exploring  new railway  line  from  Chengannur  to  Pamba  which  is  a  shorter  route  for Sabarimala Shrine.  Pamba is situated about 4 Km away from Sabarimala shrine.   Final Location Survey for Chengannur - Pamba (75 Km) new line has been sanctioned.  The  survey of said work has been taken  up for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).

All  Railway  Infrastructure  project's  alignment  is  finalized  keeping  in mind  least  disturbance  to  environment,  minimal  disturbance  to  local people, Socia-economic  consideration, Remunerativeness,  last mile connectivity, augmentation of congested/saturated lines etc. Sanctioning of  Railway  projects  is  continuous  and  dynamic  process  of Indian Railways.

The completion of any Railway project depends on various factors like quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forestry  clearance  by officials  of  forest  department,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities,  statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions  of  area,  law  and  order  situation  in  the  area  of  project  site, number of  working  months  in  a  year  for  particular  project  site  due  to climatic conditions etc.  All these factors affect the completion time of the  project.  With  above  constraints,  every  effort  is  being  made  to execute the project(s) expeditiously.

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      | more than 5 times                               |
| 2024-25  | 3,011 crore      | more than 8 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  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.

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