SilverLine: Kerala awaits central nod on DPR as opposition raises banner of revolt

Thiruvananthapuram: With the by-election in Kerala underway, the SilverLine project has once again become a topic of heated discussion, following remarks made by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during his recent visit to the state. As the project gains attention once more, it has been pointed out that the central government’s decision on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is crucial. Although the state government submitted the DPR to the Railway Board in June 2020, no suggestions for revisions have been made by the central government so far.

The state government maintains that it has completed the preliminary work required on its part, and that the remaining steps should be taken by the Railway Board and the central government. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw last month, seeking approval for the project.

With the state having completed its preliminary tasks, the delay in granting approval now puts the onus on the central government. This could undermine the central government’s much-publicized image of being proactive in launching and supporting development projects that would bring significant improvements to the country's public transportation system, such as express highways and high-speed rail networks. To prevent this, the railway minister has stated that the central government would clear the SilverLine project if the state addresses the technical and environmental issues associated with it.

Delay in project implementation

However, the central government has not yet provided any feedback on the project or suggested any revisions. As per usual procedure, the government typically reviews a project and proposes necessary changes. In this case, communication between the central and state governments has mainly centered on land acquisition for the project. The file will be sent to the Union Ministry only after receiving clearance from the Railway Board, NITI Aayog, and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Meanwhile, as discussions about the project intensify, protests from various organizations and political parties are gaining momentum in the state. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has stated that the Congress party will agitate against the project, claiming it will financially and environmentally devastate Kerala. KPCC president K. Sudhakaran alleged that the shift in the central government’s stance is the result of a secret deal between the CPM and BJP in the state. UDF convener M.M. Hassan warned that widespread protests would erupt if the government presses ahead with the project.