After Revised State Budget for 2026-27 was announced by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on June 20,Sabari Railway Action Council Federation has come out strongly against project being left out.
Honestly,people waiting for Angamaly-Erumely Sabari railway project must be feeling completely tired by now . Not just no funds,but even no mention in budget,that is what has upset council more.
Federation said this omission has made future of project uncertain again . And for local landowners who have been waiting for some clear movement on their holdings,this is not small thing ah . Years pass,budgets come and go,but their land and plans remain stuck.
In official statement,general convener Babu Paul and secretary Jijo Panichanani spoke about emotional toll on stakeholders . They requested Chief Minister to allocate at least ₹200 crore during budget debate so project can at least restart in some meaningful way .
Few facts make this whole situation more irritating:
- Project was sanctioned in 1997 and still facing delay after delay .
- Left Democratic Front had earlier allocated ₹1,900 crore for the project through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.
- Proposed 111-km railway line is expected to help tourism,trade and education in Ernakulam,Idukki and Kottayam.
And tbh,when project is linked with Sabarimala pilgrim movement also,delay feels even harder to understand . Every year huge number of pilgrims travel,and this line was supposed to improve connectivity for that annual rush,along with helping local economies .
Some civil works in sections like Angamaly-Kalady have already been completed,but then project got stuck again because of land acquisition and environmental concerns . So it is not like nothing ever happened,it is more like project moved a little and then froze .
Council leaders are now saying stakeholders cannot afford more delay . Local community had high hopes because recent discussions around project had created some expectation that maybe this time government will act.
But after budget silence,that hope has again turned into doubt . Will government put ₹200 crore during debate and show commitment,or will Sabari railway again remain one more long promise hanging in air…
