New Delhi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday held discussions with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi on several railway-related matters concerning the state.

Kerala Minister for Sports and Railways V Abdurahiman, who was also present at the meeting, later informed that the Centre had decided to take forward the Angamaly-Sabari railway line project.

Abdurahiman noted that the primary focus of the discussion was the Angamaly-Sabari rail project. He confirmed that a central team will soon visit Kerala in connection with this.

However, he declined to clarify whether the contentious SilverLine project was discussed in the meeting.

K.V. Thomas, the state government’s representative in Delhi, also participated in the discussions.

Semi high-speed alternative under consideration

Sources indicate that the Union Minister informed the Chief Minister that a semi-high-speed rail project, as an alternative to SilverLine, is currently under active consideration. This alternative proposal was earlier submitted by renowned engineer E Sreedharan to the state government. Since the Centre raised objections to the SilverLine project, the state government has extended its support to the alternative plan proposed by Sreedharan.

Further discussions between Sreedharan, the Union Railway Minister, and senior railway officials are expected to take place shortly.