The upcoming Union Budget is expected to take a final call on the proposed Sabari rail project to the Sabarimala temple which witnesses a footfall of close to one crore pilgrims during the pilgrimage season between November and January. The Union Railway Ministry recently sought an undertaking from the State government expressing its willingness to shoulder 50% of the total project cost.
Railways’ move has taken the officials here by surprise as the State government had already issued an order giving consent for cost-sharing in 2021. Issuing another consent letter would cause a procedural delay of another one month, said the officials.
