Govt to convince Rly Ministry on land acquisition issues

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 19 (UNI) Kerala Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Vijayakumar told the state Assembly today that in the wake of widespread complaints over land acquisition for the proposed Sabari Railway Line Project, the government would take all steps to bring the issue to the attention of Railway authorities.

Replying to a Calling Attention by Mr P C George (Kerala Congress Secular), he said since the issue was affecting a large number of people in the region, the government would discuss the issue with the Railway Ministry on how to implement the project without affecting them.

Stating that the project was not for Kerala devotees alone but for the whole country, the Minister assured that considering the importance of the project the government would take all steps for implementing the project protecting the interests of local people.

He said considering the importance the world famous hill shrine Sabarimala, the government wanted to realise the project.

Mr Vijayakumar said the Railway Board had already given the green signal for the project and even approved the draft report of the first phase of the project between Angamali and Azhutha.

Though the Railway Board had sent letters to the district collectors concerned asking them to take necessary steps for the land aquisition for the project, no land had been taken so far, he said adding the project required 207.54 hectare land in Ernakulam, 47.22 hectre in Idukki and 217.10 hectre in Kottayam districts.

Alleging that the proposed project would require a heavy budget, Mr George suggested that it could be implemented from Kottayam, the shortest line. Though the estimated cost of the project was Rs 760 crore, it would cross Rs 2,300 when it was completed, he added.

Replying to a submission by Mr Aryadan Mohammad, Mr Vijayakumar said the Railway Board had no plan to construct a railway line to Nanchancode in Karnataka from Shornur.

Quoting a letter from the Railway's, he said since the Nanchancode sector was on meter gauge it was practically not viable constructing such a line and the matter would be cosidered after the ongoing process of conversion of metergauge to broadgauge was completed, he added.

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