In what could be a major milestone in the realisation of Kanhangad-Kaniyooru rail link, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has reaffirmed the State’s stand that it will provide land free of cost to realise the long-cherished project.
The rail link provides easiest access to Bengaluru from north Kerala.
Delegation
An assurance to this effect was made to a delegation of the Kanhangad Nagara Vikasana Karma Samithi led by E. Chandrashekaran, MLA, after the office-bearers met the Chief Minister in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
Mr. Chandy’s remarks ratified the assurances made by his predecessor V.S. Achuthanandan to the Ministry of Railways in 2009 that the State was prepared to acquire free land for the project in the 40-km-long Kanhangad-Panathur stretch falling in the State.
However, Mr. Chandy made it clear that the State, in view of its present financial constrains, would not be able to abide by the 50-50 cost share norms laid down by the Central government for completing any Central project.
Necessary orders
The samithi immediately contacted P. Karunakaran, MP, who was away in Delhi, and informed him of the State’s stand on the project, Prabhakaran Vazhunnoradi, a samithi member and Kanhangad municipal Vice-Chairman, said.
Mr. Karunakaran, in turn, assured the samithi that he would take up the matter with the Railway Ministry to issue necessary orders for taking up the works at a time when the Railways has begun a three-month long survey on the 90-km-long route, Mr. Vazhunnoradi said.
Later, in a meeting held with senior BJP leader O. Rajagopal at his residence in the State capital city, the former Minister of State for Railways assured to take up the matter with the Railway Ministry for the early realisation of the project.
State ratifies assurance made in 2009
Decision to acquire free land for 40-km stretch
