Sabari Rail Project Hits a Hurdle as Centre, State Differ Over Cost Sharing

The Angamaly-Erumely Sabari Rail project has hit a deadlock again, with the Centre and the state government not coming to an agreement regarding the funds.

- ANU KURUVILLA @Kochi

Things seemed to get on track when a team from the Railway Ministry, comprising officials from the Railway Board, arrived in the state capital towards the end of July to hold discussions with the representatives of the state government to iron out the technicalities associated with the project. It was hoped that the land acquisition would begin soon. However, things have gone back to square one, as is evident from the statement made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha, who blamed the state government for delaying the land acquisition process. He was replying to queries raised by MP Hibi Eden.