After prolonged delays, the Sabari rail project—envisioned to connect the Sabarimala temple with India’s railway network—has gained renewed momentum as the state and Centre agreed to move forward with implementation.

The decision was made during a meeting between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi on 03 June, 2025. An expert committee is scheduled to visit Kerala in July to assess and initiate land acquisition. However, clarity is still awaited on the cost-sharing formula between the State and the Centre. The Centre had earlier demanded that Kerala bear 50 percent of the revised project cost of Rs 3,810.69 crore.

Kerala had instead proposed that funding via the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) be exempted from its borrowing limits. The Centre then proposed a tripartite agreement with Kerala, the Ministry of Railways, and the Reserve Bank of India, which would deduct Kerala’s dues from Central assistance if payments were delayed.

The 110-km Angamaly–Erumeli route saw partial completion of land acquisition and construction. The State also pushed for the SilverLine project and improvements to Vande Bharat train services, while renewing demands for additional rail lines to decongest the existing network.