High Court raps Railways

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday asked the Railways to explore the possibility of linking the proposed Sabari Railway Project with the proposed Kollam-Madurai railway line, thereby covering more villages and towns. The court also criticised the Railways for the inordinate delay in implementing the Sabari rail project.A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice C N Ramachandran Nair and Justice P S Gopinathan passed the order while considering a petition by Saji Joseph, convenor, Action Council of Landowners of Vadakkumbhagom and Mathoor villages seeking a directive to the state government to disburse compensation to land owners, whose land were acquired for the project.The court strongly criticised the Central and State Governments for the inordinate delay in implementing the project.“The Angamali-Sabari railway project is a dream of the people of Kerala and the devotees of Sabarimala Temple for the last 10 years. The authorities have already paid Rs 60 crore for acquiring 15.6 hectares of land. Probably, the project will not be completed in another 50 years. The attitudes of both the governments have to be condemned,” the court observed.The court further directed the Union Railway Ministry to file a detailed affidavit about the project along with the funding and the time schedule within which the project is proposed to be completed. Since the state has a major role in the alignment of the railway line connecting different towns, the railways should coordinate with the state and file a project report in two months, the court said.The Railways submitted that the proposed railway line was limted at Erumaly only because the line passes through the forest area. “Since the extension of the line will benefit a large number of people, the state should look into the matter and make suggestions to extend the line beyond Erumaly,” the court said.The court further said that if the project is not done within a stipulated time, instead of ordering payment, the court will direct the governments to surrender that land to the owners.