The Sabarimala Railway line has been a long-standing aspiration for millions of Ayyappa devotees. Since Narendra Modiji assumed office in 2014, the project gained significant momentum. However, Kerala’s lack of commitment has now emerged as the primary obstacle. The state government appears eager to distance itself from the project—a 50:50 Centre-State joint venture—citing loan limit constraints as an excuse.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently reaffirmed the Centre’s readiness to implement the project through a tripartite agreement involving the Reserve Bank of India. He made this announcement during his visit to Thrissur in November 2024.
Originally sanctioned by the Central Railway Ministry in 1998, the 111 km Angamaly–Erumeli railway line faced numerous procedural delays. Eventually, on January 27, 2016, the Railway Ministry and the Government of Kerala signed an agreement to transfer the project to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with a funding structure of 51% from the Centre and 49% from the state. The SPV later engaged with stakeholders to consider extending the line to Punalur, and the project was subsequently included under the PM’s Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) framework.
In 2021, the Kerala government initially agreed to share the project costs. However, following Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s public endorsement of the project, the state abruptly reversed its position—possibly fearing that the BJP would receive credit for the development. The chief secretary soon declared the state incapable of meeting its financial obligations, effectively stalling the project. With Kerala withdrawing its support, the Railway Ministry had no choice but to freeze further proceedings.
After reconsideration, the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) under Pinarayi Vijayan informed the Centre of its renewed willingness to cover 50% of the costs. Responding to this, the Centre directed the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail) to draft a revised project proposal. K-Rail presented an updated estimate of Rs 3,810.69 crore, incorporating provisions for future Vande Bharat train operations. Additionally, the revised plan proposed extending the railway to Vizhinjam via Pathanamthitta, Punalur, and Nedumangad.
However, just as the project seemed poised for progress, the Kerala government raised yet another hurdle—demanding an increase in the state’s loan limit under the guise of financial constraints. This backtracking clearly illustrates the state’s habitual reluctance to fulfil its commitments while conveniently shifting blame onto the Modi government.
The Sabarimala Railway project stands as a glaring example of the CPM regime’s strategy: evading responsibilities, stalling development, and engaging in political blame games rather than prioritising the needs of the people.
Critics argue that this is the classic template of Communists: make grand promises, break them, and later spin the failures as “historical and monumental blunders” with a victimhood narrative.
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