HALT AND GO. Kalady railway station, located along the proposed 111-km rail Angamaly–Erumeli Sabari Rail corridor
The ₹505 crore allocation in the Union Budget for the long-pending Angamaly–Erumeli Sabari Rail project has rekindled hope for improved connectivity in Kerala’s central Travancore region, especially among pilgrims and agro-industries.Sanctioned in 1997-98, the 111-km rail corridor has remained stalled for nearly a quarter century due to alignment disputes and other related challenges. The proposed line will link Angamaly in Ernakulam district with Erumeli in Kottayam, passing through major towns such as Perumbavoor, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha, Bharanganam and Kanjirappally. The project is expected to ease access to the Pampa region and the Sabarimala pilgrimage centre.The ₹3,800 crore project recently regained traction after the Union Cabinet approved 50 per cent funding for it. The Kerala government will fund the rest through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The Railway board has assigned the task of land acquisition to the State, but the process is yet to take off despite a notification issued four months ago.Ferrying agro cargoSo far, only limited groundwork has been completed, including track laying over an 8 km stretch, the construction of the Kalady station, and a 1 km bridge across Periyar river.Jijo Panachinani, Secretary of the Federation of Sabari Railway Action Council, said the rail link would provide a strong impetus to tourism and regional economic growth. The enhanced connectivity may benefit destinations such as Thattekad, Bhoothathankettu, Munnar, Vagamon and Thekkady, while also strengthening pilgrim circuits including Malayattoor, Kalady and Bharanganam.Apart from proving a boon to Sabarimala pilgrims, the project is expected to improve cargo movement to interior markets, in a significant boost to agro industries in the region.The rail link would enable faster movement of produce such as pineapple, natural rubber, pepper, cardamom and plywood to various upcountry markets, which are hitherto reached by road. With the Railways reportedly planning to build more cargo terminals across the country through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, the setting up of a cargo terminal at Thodupuzha, as part of the Sabari Rail project, would be an ideal option, Panachinani said.In a representation to the Railway Minister, the action council called for the development of a dedicated cargo terminal at the proposed Thodupuzha railway station, as that would boost the agro-industrial sector of Idukki and its adjoining regions. The facility would enable the efficient transportation of key agri commodities to north Indian markets.The development of a cost-effective and rapid rail-based logistics for agricultural produce, spices and industrial goods — all of which are traded in large volumes in the region — will substantially promote regional economic growth. It will also enhance freight traffic revenue for the Railways, thereby improving the commercial viability of the Sabari Railway project, the action council said.Job creationGeorge Valy of the Indian Rubber Dealers Federation in Kottayam said the commissioning of Sabari rail would immensely benefit the natural rubber industry by enabling hassle-free movement of rubber sheets, latex, block rubber and so on to upcountry markets.It could also facilitate the setting up of rubber-based small-scale industrial units in the central Travancore belt, thereby increasing job opportunities, he said.Baby John, President, Pineapple Growers Association Keralam, said nearly 100 truckloads of the GI-tagged Vazhakulam pineapple are dispatched daily to north Indian markets. The Sabari railway line would ensure timely delivery of fresh fruits to markets where pineapple is in big demand round the year.The Kalady Rice Millers Consortium, the largest rice producing cluster in Kerala, said that enhanced logistics through the proposed Sabari rail line would improve the transportation of raw materials and finished products from industrial hubs to wider markets.Former Union Minister and working chairman of Kerala Congress PC Thomas said the rail link should have a double track to benefit the region adequately.Besides generating jobs and accelerating regional growth, the project is expected to support the industrial and logistics hubs in its vicinity, including the furniture cluster at Kothamangalam-Nellikuzhi, Kinfra Food Park at Muvattupuzha-Nellad, the Spices Park at Thodupuzha-Muttom, and the Food Corporation of India godown at Thodupuzha-Arakkulam.Published on May 18, 2026
