Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today said that the Centre is committed to construct the Sabari Railway line as per the original alignment from Angamali to Erumeli in Kerala. He was addressing a function at Thrissur railway station this afternoon.

He said the Centre will soon send a format to the state government in connection with the project, and after the filling up of the format,  it will be taken forward.

Referring to the hi-speed K-Rail project mooted by the Kerala government, the Minister said if the environmental issues relating to the project are addressed expeditiously, it can also be taken up.

Noting that the Union government is keen on increasing the capacity of Railways in Kerala, the Minister said the focus is on constructing a 3rd and 4th line between Mangalore to Shornur and a 3rd  line from Shornur to Kanyakumari via  Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram.

He said development of Railways should be above politics and the focus should be on the overall development of the people.