Sabarimala Railway | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Status | Under construction |
Owner | Indian Railways |
Locale | Kerala |
Termini | |
Stations | 20 (proposed) |
Website | www |
Service | |
Type | Regional rail Heavy rail Light rail |
Services | 1 |
Operator(s) | Southern Railway zone |
Depot(s) | Kollam Ernakulam |
Rolling stock | WDP-4 |
Technical | |
Line length | 111 km (69 mi) |
Number of tracks | 1 |
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
Sabarimala Railway is a proposed 111-kilometre (69 mi)-long railway line in Kerala, India, that will run from Angamaly to Erumeli. It was sanctioned in 1998 by Indian Railways. The line's name comes from the fact that it will provide a railway facility to pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala Temple (which number more than the total population of Kerala).[1]
According to a memorandum of understanding signed between the state of Kerala and the Ministry of Railways on 27 January 2016, commercially viable railway projects will be identified and handed over to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be fast-tracked on a 51:49 per cent equity basis. The SPV has discussed an extension to Punalur. The Sabari Railway project has been included under PRAGATI (PM-Proactive Government and Timely Implementation) and is monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The proposed railway line will relieve transportation problems in Idukki, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts. Railways have agreed to start the project once the Kerala Rail Development Corporation gives a revised estimate for the project.[as of?]