Budget allocation on Railway projects turns out to be a huge shocker for Kerala

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None of the projects could make into the budget, Rail enthusiast terms this as the disastrous budget Kerala ever received

Trivandrum : Budget allocation on railway projects turns out to be a huge shocker for Kerala. All major projects were neglected and a handful of them have been allocated Rs.1000 each only.

The saving grace is Ernakulam – Kayamkulam track doubling via Kottayam, For which 88 crores is earmarked. Whereas the division has demanded 100 crore for this project alone.

Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari track doubling has 133.50 crores in the budget. Out of which 128 crore falls under the plan head Extra Budgetary Resources (Infrastructure).

This money can be spent only on projects where land acquisition is over. For this project land from Thiruvanthapuram to Nemom is yet to be acquired. Rs. 217 crores is needed for land acquisition of 14.84 hectares.

Even the state is ready for the acquisition, but railway have failed in providing the required money. Due to this out of 133.5 crore allocation, only 5 crore can be spent now.

The much-hyped Nemom Terminal of which work has been inaugurated by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal itself, but doesn’t have any money in the budget.

A revised estimate of Rs. 132 crores for this project is still pending with the Railway Board.

Nemom considered being the most crucial project for decongesting Thiruvanathapuram Central not finding a place in the budget is a huge setback for entire Kerala and Nemom MLA O. Rajagopal, Lone BJP MLA in kerala Assembly.

Trivandrum division and Southern Railway were pinning all their hopes on Nemom as it will facilitate more trains once Kottayam doubling is finished by November 2021.

In Nemom’s case earlier allotted 23 crores have been taken to Tuticorin-Arpukottai project in Tamilnadu.

The Chief Administrative Officer A. K. Sinha has assured Kerala last month that money for Nemom will be given by January. But nothing has happened so far.

Ambalapuzha-Haripad doubling also gets its share of Rs. 13.95 crores. As the project is nearing completion the money is enough.

The Rs. 2815 crore Angamali Erumeli Sabari Rail project, Guruvayur- Tirunavaya line, Palakkad Coach Factory, Doubling between Ambalapuzha-Thuravoor, Thuravoor-Kumbalam, Kumbalam – Ernakulam, And 3rd line between Ernakulam and Shornur have only Rs. 1000 each in this budget.

For Additional platforms at kochuveli (34 crore) proposal was submitted by Trivandrum Division along with other major demands like, station development at Chengannur (15 crore), 2 Intermediate block Sections in Aleppy-Ernakulam Route, Expansion of Kollam memu shed, LHB coach handling Facility at Ernakulam and so on.

None of these projects could make into the budget. Rail enthusiast terms this as the disastrous budget Kerala ever received.

From Meager allocations to Non-approval of new projects this budget has set a new record.

In Malabar, Pitline project at Palakkad Town, Palakkad Bypass Line, Crossing stations in Nilambur Line, 1 km track doubling at Shoranur are completely missing in the budget document.

Saran, a rail enthusiast from palakkad suspects NDA purposfully ill treating Kerala. Even BJP backed project like Nemom, Sabari Rail project, Ernakulam old railway station development, Rameshwaram trains are not there.

“There is no hope left for us. we thought that at least this time Palakkad pitline will make it into the pink book. There is no point in following railway officials with request for trains and projects. High time we stopped wasting our time and energy on this,” He says in a dejected voice.

Passenger Associations and railfans doesn’t hide their anger and frustration. The tireless effort made by Members of Parliament and Associations have all gone in vain.

What does Kerala get in Budget-2020-21 for Railway

  • Sabari Railway – Rs.1000/-

  • Palakkad Coach Factory – Rs.1000/-

  • Guruvayur-Tiruavaya Line – Rs.1000/-

  • Ernakulam-Shornur 3rd Line – Rs.1000/-

  • Catwalk at Pitlines at ERMC – 90 lakhs

  • Ernakulam-Ambalapuzha Doubling – Rs.3000/-

  • Nemom Terminal – 50 lakhs (Needs 217 crore for LA itself)

  • Harippad Ambalapuzha – 13.95 crore

  • Kottayam Doubling – 88 crore

  • Trivandrum-Kanyakumari Doubling – 133 crore (128 crore EBR)

  • Automatic coach washing plant at ERMC/Kochuveli – 1.73 crore

  • LHB coach handling facility at Ernakulam Marshalling Yard (ERMC) – Nil

  • Kochuveli additional 2 Platform lines – Nil

  • Chengannur Station Development – Nil

  • Kollam memu shed Expansion – Nil

  • Shornur 1km doubling towards PGT/TCR – Nil

  • IBS at 2 locations in Alappy line – Nil

  • Palakkad Bypass Line – Nil

  • Palakkad Pit line – Nil

  • Kollam Pit line – Nil