SABARIMALAI: Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa has said that top priority would be given to Sabari Rail.
Talking to reporters at Sannidhanam Devaswom Guest House, Muniyappa, who came here for darsan of Lord Ayyappa, said that the Railways would provide adequate budgetary provision for the AngamaliAzhutha Sabari Rail project in view of the lakhs of pilgrims who depend on trians to reach Sabarimala.
The Minister said that the State Government should speed up the land acquisition proceedings so that the project would get the required momentum to the implelmentation.
On railway line alignment, Muniyappa said that the changes in the alignment would strictly be on the basis of safety and other technical aspects.
Railway track doubling
The Minister said that land acquisition is a stumbling block in Kerala for the railway track doubling work.
He said that adequate budgetary provision would be made for the completion of the ErnakulamThiruvananthapuram railway track doubling work.
The completion of railway track doubling work was necessary for sanctioning more trains on the route since the existing rail line is already overburdened, he said.
More special trains
The Railways would run more Sabaimala special trains during the peak Makaravilaku season depending on the demand and on the bookings.
"Instructions have already been issued to the authorities concerned for sanctioning adequate number of Sabarimala special trains," Muniyappa said.
Participation of
railway officials
The Minister said that top railway authorities used to attend the meetings convened by the chief ministers of states.
On the absence of top railway authorities at the meeting convened by State Minister M Vijayakumar, Muniyappa said he was not aware of such a meeting.
He said that the representations of Members of Parliament would be given proper and due consideration in the preparation of Railway Budget and other plans.