Ashwini Vaishnaw flags land acquisition delays for Kerala rail projects, writes to Pinarayi Vijayan
Ashwini Vaishnaw has flagged land acquisition delays in Kerala, which are affecting the development of railway projects in the state. According to Vaishnaw's letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, just 64 hectares (Ha) of land could be acquired by the state against a requirement of 470 Ha. This is despite the centre making a payment of over Rs 2,100 crore to the state for land acquisition needed to complete crucial rail projects.
According to Vaishnaw, railway infrastructure projects worth Rs 12,350 crore are progressing in Kerala.
«The highest ever budget outlay of Rs 3,011 crore has been allotted for the financial year 2024-25. However, most of the railway projects in Kerala are not progressing due to the non-availability of requisite land,» his letter said, adding that the Indian Railways has initiated efforts for the acquisition of land for most of the sanctioned railway projects but could not succeed.
Listing the major projects in Kerala that need land, Vaishnaw identified the doubling of Trivandrum-Kanyakumari, Ernakulam-Kumbalam, and Kumbalam-Turavur railway lines. The Angamali-Sabarimala new line is also facing land acquisition hurdles.
«Despite making payments of more than Rs 2,100 crore to the Kerala government for the required land of about 470 Ha, only 64 Ha could be acquired. Support of the Kerala government is essentially required in the matter,» he said.
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