The long-delayed Angamaly–Sabarimala railway line is poised to move forward, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw declaring in the Rajya Sabha that construction can resume once the Kerala government begins land acquisition by contributing its 50% share of the project cost.
The 111 km line, vital for pilgrims traveling to Sabarimala and boosting regional connectivity, has seen only partial work completed—namely the Angamaly–Kalady (7 km) and Kalady–Perumbavoor (10 km) stretches. Progress stalled due to public protests, route disputes, court cases, and a lack of full support from the state.
The revised project cost of ₹3,801 crore, submitted by Kerala Rail Development Corporation (KRDCL) in December 2023, received only conditional approval from the state. The Centre, however, is insisting on unconditional consent and participation in a tripartite agreement with the Ministry of Railways and RBI—an arrangement the Kerala government declined in June 2025.
Despite earlier delays, the Central government has now lifted the suspension on the project and signaled its readiness to support speedy land acquisition and implementation—placing the ball firmly in Kerala’s court.
This renewed push could finally unlock one of Kerala’s most awaited infrastructure initiatives, enhancing pilgrimage travel, regional development, and railway accessibility across interior districts.
