Sabari rail project to be scrapped - environmentalists strike again!
October 12th, 2008
Earlier (1999) Railways had planned to construct a 45KM new railway line from Kottayam to Erumeli. After stiff resistance from environmental and farmer groups, this project was dropped. Then another project was proposed which will link Angamaly to Azhutha (120+ KM line). This project was called the “Sabari” project as it would link the pilgrim centre Sabarimala to the Indian Railway network.
But it seems that Railways will have to abandon the Sabari project as well. There is a group called “Natural ecological protection group” or something who are fighting against the project. It appears that they will be successful in sabotaging Sabari Rail project. Well done guys! Without you guys we would be on the path to progress!
Status of other big projects in Kerala
1. Vizhinjam Harbor Project
This project was supposed to be the showcase project for Kerala and probably would have bought huge job opportunities. People started protesting against it the day it was approved. There is a lot opposition from locals and also from environmentalists and I doubt whether Vizhinjam harbor project can be implemented.
2. Cochin Metro Rail Project
All the big traders are against the Cochin Metro Rail Project. In fact the land survey had to be completed in secrecy! The traders in Cochin are so powerful that they can easily threaten government officials. During the illegal encroachment eviction drive, they had threatened government officials into submission. So I don’t think government will be able to implement Cochin Metro Rail in the near future.
3. NH 47 Expansion Project
Unlike other projects, this is an essential project since the traffic and accidents on the NH 47 are unbelievably high. The project has started from Palakkad and there is stiff resistance against the project. At Chalakkudy area, they even had to compromise with the locals and I think had to reduce the road width at some places. This project may go on, but I think it will take at least 25 years for this project to finish. And by that time 4 lane will be worse than a 2 lane now! 
4. NH 17 Expansion Project
Locals are protesting against this project also saying that there is no need to build parking spaces. I guess they expect the vehicles to be suspended in air! The local resistance is so high that I think this may get sabotaged.
5. Trivandrum city development project
This is probably one project which found some success. Some of the roads are widened to 4 lane and you can say something is happening. But the entire project lacks future vision. In many places the middle divider is so narrow that pedestrians can’t even stand there. For example, take the new stretch developed between Sasthamangalam and Vellayambalam. Big real estate developers built flats in such a manner that after expansion, the flats are right in the road! If someone drops a stone from his flat balcony, it will fall on the pedestrian’s head. Obviously things like this happen due to rampant corruption.
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October 13th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I am sure it is not the common man who is up in arms against these projects.
Professional agitators funded by vested interests.
Need to do something!
-Nikhil
October 13th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I was shocked to see the so-called 4 lane NH47’s Chalakkudi-Kodakara stretch. The proposed divider between the lane is so big that the whole highway looks 2 lane. The divider is as big as a lane!!!!! What whole purpose in widening the highway if it doesn’t serve the primary purpose it was indented to. (In case the highway authorities have forgotten - the widening is aimed at easing the flow of traffic!!!)
October 31st, 2008 at 8:57 am
There only one group who have super power in kerala. They are the one who send their hard earned money to kerala from different states and countries. Once they unite and stop sending money to their own family, everything will fall into place. we need to start claning up from our own home.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Sabari Railway
Sabari Railway a need for Development
People organizations should initiate activities for the construction of proposed Angamali-Sabarimala railway line through Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottoyam districts of Kerala, india and there by gain railway connectivity to the municipalities like Pala, Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor and Angamali. Government of India has sanctioned Sabarimala Railway line in 2000 itself for the rail way facility to the pilgrims to Sabarimala Temple, Erumeli Mosque, Bharananganam Church, Ramapuram Church, Malayattur Church and Kaladi Temple. This railway line can benefit to the development of 4 district of Kerala. It will give 16 new railway stations and 130 KMs of additional railway line to Trivandum railway division. Sabari railway line will provide railway connectivity to Cochin International Airport at Nedumbasery too. It will support the rice industry in the Kaladi area and Ruber Timber industry in Perumbavoor area. Above railway line provide better transporting facility to agriculture product like Rubber, Pepper, Coffee, Cardamom, Tea , Pineapple etc and beneficial to the farmers for a better price to agriculture product. Government of Kerala has already hand over land in Angamali and Nedumbasery villages to Railway and acquired land in Mattoor and Vadakkumbhgam villages for the construction of above railway line. More over 4(1) notification has been published for the acquisition of land up to proposed Perumbavoor railway station in Ernakulam district, Karimkunnam village in Idukki district, Kadanad and Ramapuram villages in Kottoyam district. Construction of this railway line is going on in Angamali and Nedumbaseery villages. Even though this railway line causes a demolition of 10 houses per KM, which will be the lowest in the state, some land owners opposes this railway line and they have the support 3 local MLAs. Alignment of this railway line is not touching any forest area. But some environment activists oppose this railway line for the financial benefits from rubber planters. Hence different associations like Kerala Vikasana Samithi and Sabari Railway Raksha Majana Sabha started to organize agitation to popularize the advantage of Angamali- Sabarimala railway project. Mean while Railway Ministry, Government of India, has completed the survey for extending this railway line from Erumeli to Trivandrum via Punalore.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
***Common man Stand for Sabari Railway project***
vested interest group opposes it
Even though Sabari railway benefits to the people in 4 districts of Kerala, some vested interest group works for its abandon. Political leaders should ensure the construction of all sanctioned railway projects in Kerala. There should be efforts for a time bound acquisition of land for the construction of Sabari railway project.When Angamali- Sabarimala railway line extended up to Thiruvananthapuram via ,it will benefits to entire Kerala. It will become a sea port- Air port rail way line(Thoothukudi- Nedumbasery). Let us stand together for the construction of Sabari railway line