Kochi: There are reports of BJP government mulling to derail Sabari rail project by introducing Chengannur Pamba line jeopardizing the decades long dream of people of Idukki to enter the rail network.
The 111 kms Angamalli-Erumeli Sabari rail project is not viable compared to the 60 kms Chengannur – Pamba line, media reports said.
This Chengannur project will cut the cost considerably and save time a lot, the reports said.
If this happens, the sole responsibility of it would fall on the Congress-led UDF which had succumbed to a few landowners who were not willing to part with their land in Idukki.
The Congress-led UPA government could have executed the project during its 10 years rule from 2004 to 2014.
The Congress also gave little importance to it even as it was conceived by late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the late Eighties to help Sabarimala pilgrims to reach the hill shrine without any hassles.
Aiming to win over the support of the people ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP-led government is also planning to introduce sleeper Vande Bharat to Bengaluru by the end of this year. The sleeper class Vande Bharat is still under manufacturing stage and Kerala is likely to get priority.
A lighter version Vande Bharat may run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi under Vande Metro tag.
The Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 2,033 crore for infrastructure development for doubling of tracks,
upgradation of stations in Kerala.
Picture Credit: Twitter
