Thiruvananthapuram: With the cancellation of the land acquisition notification for the Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project, landowners can now remove the yellow boundary markers without concern. The decision comes after Central approval was denied and the state government announced an alternative rail initiative, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), reducing concerns over land acquisition for SilverLine.

Although the state government has not officially abandoned SilverLine, all land acquisition actions undertaken for the project have been fully cancelled. According to K-Rail officials, actual land acquisition had not commenced, and yellow markers were originally installed only to define boundaries for social impact studies.

Consequently, the boundary determinations made in 2022 are now invalid, and any detailed project reports prepared for SilverLine would need to be redone if the project were to be revived, which is unlikely given the central government’s opposition.

Expiry of SilverLine notices

Under the boundary marker law, the Revenue Department-issued notification is valid for one year. If studies were not completed within this period, the notification automatically becomes invalid, which has now occurred.

Railway authorities have suggested that Kerala’s third and fourth rail lines could follow this new alignment, but the state government has opposed the mandatory handover of land to the railways. Only after hearings and study reports are published can land acquisition under law proceed — a step never undertaken for SilverLine.

‘No need to worry’

“While yellow markers set along the demarcated alignment still remain in several areas, they do not obstruct farming, construction or other land uses. Loans or building permits will not be denied due to the presence of these markers,” an official clarified.

Alignment in the new project

The new Rapid Rail project considers the SilverLine alignment, but unlike the elevated SilverLine corridor, the proposed rapid rail will not require land acquisition along the same stretch. The track will include buffer zones on either side, minimising any interference with existing land.