Congress MPs Adoor Prakash and Anto Antony have urged Kerala’s Chief Minister to extend the Sabari rail line from Erumeli to Balaramapuram, linking it with the Vizhinjam International Port. The move could unlock a strategic transport corridor for the state.

  • Congress MPs call for Sabari rail extension.
  • Proposed Erumeli‑Balaramapuram stretch to connect with Vizhinjam Port.
  • Land acquisition and bureaucratic hurdles stall the project.

Kerala is charting an integrated transport network that ties NH‑66, NH‑544, a proposed Outer Ring Road, National Waterway‑3, several minor ports, and the Vizhinjam International Seaport. Yet the three‑decade‑old Sabari rail project remains dormant despite growing political pressure.

Congress MP Adoor Prakash wrote to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan requesting a survey of the Erumeli‑Balaramapuram stretch to assess its feasibility for a Vizhinjam link. The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL) had earlier recommended extending the Angamaly‑Erumeli line to Punalur, Thiruvananthapuram, and ultimately Vizhinjam.

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Similarly, MP Anto Antony emphasized that the project, sanctioned in 1997, has stalled due to administrative bottlenecks. Although a land‑acquisition notification was issued in March 2026, progress on setting up acquisition offices and deploying officials remains minimal.

Landowners along the proposed alignment face financial strain because their properties cannot be freely sold or used as loan collateral. Antony has called for a joint meeting of MPs, revenue officials, and local representatives to resolve these issues and fast‑track land acquisition.

A senior bureaucrat told The Hindu that the Revenue Department is ready to allocate staff for Sabari rail acquisition, but the final go‑ahead rests with the Chief Minister.

Sabari Rail Action Council (SARC) secretary Jijo Joseph Panchiani noted that the land‑acquisition notification stays valid for one year. He recalled that the previous UDF government had pledged to share half the project cost with Indian Railways, a stance later reinforced by the LDF in 2021 before the Railway Board lifted its freeze last year.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that linking Vizhinjam Port to the national rail grid will boost Kerala’s trade competitiveness, spur export‑import activity, and generate substantial employment opportunities.

“Connecting Vizhinjam directly by rail will transform logistics on India’s southern coast,” says transport expert Dr. Sudhir Kumar.
Did You Know?: The original Sabari rail proposal was approved in 1997, yet only an 8‑km stretch and a single station have been constructed to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can the Erumeli‑Balaramapuram extension realistically reach Vizhinjam Port?

A: Technically yes, provided land‑acquisition and bureaucratic obstacles are cleared.

Q2: What economic impact does the project’s delay have on the region?

A: Prolonged delays risk losing potential investment, job creation, and export growth.