RRTS tops list of cost-sharing rail projects.

With the Centre providing ₹213 crore for the Angamaly-Sabari railway line in the 2017-18 budget, the list of 'viable' rail projects under cost-sharing to be executed through Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL) with 51:49 equity between the State and Railways has been revised.

The enhanced budget allocation for the ambitious Sabari project to put the hill shrine on the railway map of the country has come as a respite for the cash-strapped State as the Centre will have to provide the needed funds in the successive budgets of the coming years as well to lay the railway line.

The doubling of the rail line from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Kanyakumari has also been given budgetary support giving the State the scope to include new projects on a cost-sharing basis.

With Sabari becoming a commitment of the Railways, the prioritisation of the ‘viable’ rail projects to be executed under the joint venture company has changed. The Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) proposed for the 125.65-km stretch between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Chengannur at a cost of ₹3,330.78 crore now occupies the top slot of the first four projects identified for execution in Phase I. Moreover, this is the only project where the Detailed Project Report is ready.

The Thalasserry-Mysuru railway line, a triangle connectivity to the Cochin International Airport from the Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram railway line and the proposed Sabari rail line and development of old railway station in Ernakulam are the other three projects shortlisted for Phase I.

In Phase II, the Erumeli-Punalur rail link for the Sabari Rail, 15-km rail connectivity to Ettumanur and Nilambur-Nanjangud railway line are the prioritised projects.

Official sources told The Hindu that the clearance of the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Environment and Forests was needed. Besides, the Kerala government is of the view that the Karnataka government should share the cost for the Nilambur-Nanjangud and Thalasserry-Mysuru line as it traverse the State.

Meanwhile, the KRDCL board is to meet here soon. The cost-sharing of the railway projects in nine States, including Kerala, is to be launched soon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Railways have nominated their board members to the KRDCL. The committee, comprising representatives of the Ministry of Railways and the State government in equal numbers for the selection of the Managing Director, has not been set up and the process of selection has commenced.

THE HINDU