Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan discusses SilverLine project with PM Modi

New Delhi, Mar 25: Despite continued protests against the boundary stone-laying for the SilverLine project, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital. The CM requested the union government sanctions for the Rs 63,000 crore semi-high-speed rail project connecting Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram.

 

 

Briefing reporters here Kerala Chief Minister described it as a good meeting and that the Prime Minister assured him that he will discuss the project with the Railway Minister. The Chief Minister also expressed hope that approvals from the Centre for the semi-high-speed rail project will come faster.

 

“Called on the @PMOIndia Shri Narendra Modi ji today. Discussed various aspects of the SilverLine project in detail. Informed him that the project was essential for Kerala’s progress. He offered all possible support. Thank you Prime Minister,” CM Vijayan tweeted.

 

 

 

“The state government will bear Rs 13,700 crore rupees that is required to aquire land and will also take the responsibility for the repayment of loan. Clarifications sought related to DPR has been provided. The project will be implemented after taking into consideration all environmental concerns. SilverLine will not go through ecologically sensitive areas,” the Kerala CM said.

 

The 529-km SilverLine railway project will link Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in north Kerala, covering 11 districts through 11 stations. The journey between two stations is expected to take four hours, whereas it currently takes 12 hours to reach from one end to another.

 

The project is also being opposed by Congress-led UDF, which has been alleging that the project is “unscientific and impractical” and will put a huge financial burden on the state.