The delay in getting the final approval for the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project from the Centre has slowed down the K-Rail works in Kerala. The laying of alignment stones has not made any progress in two weeks, despite Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan taking up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Supreme Court and and the High Court allowing the State to go ahead with the survey.
“Normally, the State’s request for final approval would have been forwarded to the Railway Ministry soon after the Chief Minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister. There would be a communication based on the request since the project has already courted controversy,” said a source close to the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (K-Rail).
Meanwhile, there has not been any major progress in the laying of the alignment stones in the past couple of weeks with the project facing stiff resistance. Further, the State government is of the view that there is no need for a controversy as the party congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is underway in Kannur and the party State unit will find it difficult to ideologically defend the project at the summit.
Deadline expires
Further, the time allotted for private agencies to hold social impact assessment (SIA) study has expired amid the public protests and the deadline will have to be extended. The District Collectors are expected to reach out to the public in areas where protest against the project is strong, to allay the apprehensions of the people, said K-Rail officials.
