Sabari rail project faces fresh delay, landowners seek action

Landowners affected by the long delay in land acquisition for the Angamaly, Erumely Sabari rail project have met Higher Education Minister Roji M. John and Chalakudy MP Benny Behanan, submitting a memorandum for speedy government intervention. The landowners, whose properties have been frozen for nearly three decades, said the Minister and MP promised to address their concerns but no official communication has followed.

The Sabari Railway Central Action Council has urged MPs to intervene. Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony and Attingal MP Adoor Prakash have written to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan seeking a meeting and a survey for a second phase linking Balaramapuram and Erumeli via Vizhinjam seaport. The affected landowners fear the Kerala government's reluctance to proceed with acquisition may push the Railways to back an alternative Theni, Erumely line.

The land acquisition notification issued last March will expire within a year if steps are not taken, said Jijo Panachinani, secretary of the action council. Perumbavoor MLA Manoj Moothedan said he will raise the issue in the next Assembly session. The project's revival was thrown into doubt after the new government proposed restructuring the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, which was to bear half the project's Rs 1,900 crore cost.