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State funds sought for Sabari rail project

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM May 20. The Union Minister of State for Railways, Bandaru Dattatraya, has urged the Kerala Government to come forward to assist Railways for funding the ambitious 145-km Sabari rail project aimed at linking Sabarimala to the rail network of the country.

Addressing a press conference at Thiruvananthapuram Central here today, Mr. Dattatraya said the State Government should assist the Railways as the proposed line from Angamaly to Erumeli needs Rs. 550 crores. ``Many States have come forward to assist the Railways. The Kerala Government, which has come forward for funding road over-bridges, should assist us in the Sabari project''.

Stating that the Ministry is seriously examining the project, the Minister said the estimate and drawing for the first 17 km is under consideration of the Railway Board.

The final location survey had been completed up to Erumeli and that beyond Erumeli is being taken up.

A sum of Rs. 10 crores had been allocated for the project in this year's Railway budget.

Already, Rs. 5 crores had been spent for the new railway line project.

Railway electrification is progressing fast and the work up to Kollam will be completed in the current year. The Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram electrification is proposed to be completed during 2004-05, the Minister said.

On the doubling of the Shoranur-Mangalore stretch, he said the work in the Kozhikode-Mangalore stretch (221 km) is almost completed except for three block sections. The doubling of the Shoranur-Kozhikode stretch (86 km) is to be taken up intensively. Of this, 30 km of doubling work is to be completed this year.

The final location survey of doubling the Kayamkulam-Cheppad and the Kayamkulam-Mavelikara stretch has been taken up.

Both works, which had been provided Rs. 5 crores in the budget, will be taken up this year.

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