Won't abandon Silver Line project, waiting for Centre's approval: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan clarified in the state Assembly on Tuesday (August 23) that the government has not abandoned the Silver Line semi-high speed rail corridor project but it has to be approved by the Central government for them to move forward.

Reiterating his government’s stand that the SilverLine project is necessary for the state’s development, he said that a high-speed or semi-high-speed rail was necessary for Kerala and such trains cannot run on the existing tracks according to experts.

He also pointed out that the state government had gone ahead with various surveys and a social impact assessment (SIA) study because of an in-principle approval for the project and initial indications from the Centre that it would green-light the semi-high speed rail corridor.

Also read: Kerala went ahead without nod for K-Rail project, Centre tells Kerala HC

However, the Centre was hesitating now due to the interference of some people, the CM alleged. “But what needs to be seen is that the project will have to be approved by the Centre. They will have to. If not now, then in the future. Therefore, the state government has not abandoned the project,” Vijayan said.

At the same time, he also conceded that without the Centre’s approval, the state cannot say it will go ahead with the project.

Also read: Centre-state friction adds to uncertainty over Kerala’s Silver Line rail project

He was responding to the Congress-led UDF opposition queries in the Assembly as to whether the cases lodged against those who protested against the laying of survey stones would be withdrawn since the project has not yet received any approval from the Centre.

The Opposition also alleged that false cases have also been lodged against those who protested against the laying of the survey stone. On the criminal cases lodged, Vijayan said that action was not taken against those opposing the project, but against those who disrupted law and order and destroyed public property.

Therefore, the state government was not considering withdrawing cases against such persons, he added.

Also read: Kerala CM hints at dropping SilverLine project; blames BJP, Congress

The Kerala government’s ambitious Silverline project, which is expected to reduce travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod to around four hours, is being opposed by the Congress-led UDF, which has been alleging that it was “unscientific and impractical” and will put a huge financial burden on the state.

The proposed 530-km stretch from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod would be developed by K-Rail, a joint venture of the Kerala government and the Railway Ministry for developing railway infrastructure in the southern state.

Starting from the state capital, SilverLine trains will have stoppages at Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur before reaching Kasaragod.

(With inputs from agencies)