The Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail) has seen a revival of hopes for its ambitious semi-high-speed rail project after productive discussions with Southern Railway authorities on Thursday, December 5.
Ajith Kumar, the managing director of K-Rail, expressed optimism following the meeting, describing the talks as “positive” and indicating that further discussions will take place soon.
Project shelved amid protests, now gaining traction
Originally shelved due to widespread protests from opposition parties and the public, as well as delays in securing permissions from the Union government, the project has now regained momentum.
The shift comes after Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav stated that the project could proceed if the state government addresses certain technical and environmental concerns. Vaishnav’s statement followed discussions with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a recent meeting in New Delhi.
Kumar’s meeting with the Chief Administrative Officer of Southern Railway in Kochi lasted about 30 minutes, focusing on moving the project forward.
Continued protests against Silver Line
Despite the progress, the project faces resistance from several quarters. The Silver Line Virudha Jankeeya Samiti, a group opposing the Silver Line, held a protest march to Ernakulam South Railway Station. Additionally, protests erupted in Kozhikode district, with demonstrators demanding the cancellation of the project. Former MLA Joseph M.
Puthusseri, who led the protest, criticised the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by K-Rail, calling it based on incomplete studies. Puthusseri also advocated for third and fourth broad-gauge railway tracks in partnership with Indian Railways, rather than the Silver Line project.
What is Kerala’s semi-high-speed rail project?
The semi-high-speed rail corridor, known as the Silver Line, aims to drastically reduce travel time across Kerala. The 530-kilometre route, which will stretch from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, is designed to cut down travel time from 12-14 hours to less than 4 hours. This ambitious project is a joint venture between K-Rail, a Kerala government initiative, and the Ministry of Railways.
The project has sparked significant opposition, especially from parties like Congress and BJP, who argue that it will lead to the displacement of families and cause environmental and social harm. Despite these concerns, the state government remains determined to push the project forward, provided it addresses all regulatory and environmental concerns.
With the project now moving forward after positive discussions, it remains to be seen whether K-Rail can overcome the opposition and meet the technical requirements for the semi-high-speed rail corridor. The outcome of future talks with the Union government and the resolution of ongoing protests will likely determine the project’s fate in the coming months.
