Several political parties and citizen outfits like K-Rail SilverLine Viruddha Janakeeya Samiti have been protesting against the “Kerala’s SilverLine project”.

Why is this project being opposed?

MPs have signed petition against the project stating that, there was “astronomical scam in the making” and it will pull the state further into debt. Furthermore, environmentalists are of the view that, project will cause great environmental harm because its route cuts through wetlands, paddy fields and hills.

What is SilverLine Project?

SilverLine project is a semi high-speed railway project. It envisages trains running at 200 km/h between northern and southern ends of Kerala. Total estimated cost of the project is Rs 63,940 crore. The proposed rail-link is of around 529.45-km and will link Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. It will be covering 11 districts through 11 stations. Travel time between Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram will reduce to less than four hours at 200 km/hr from 12 hours.