The state government’s outreach program received a series of suggestions from people from different walks of life to allay apprehensions regarding the Silverline project in the capital district.
Urging the government to take forward the project “important for the development of the state”, former chief secretary K. Jayakumar called for the release of a white paper that will clear misunderstandings.
Former state police chief Jacob Punnoj, who felt that the project would significantly reduce road accidents and deaths, proposed linking the rail corridor to the national transport network.
Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) President SN Raghuchandran Nair also stressed on the need to ensure last mile connectivity by connecting the stations of the proposed rail corridor with various cities of the district.
Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Mohan Roy said the importance of the Silverline project should lie in the physical and mental health benefits. This feature is bound to reduce fatigue among commuters who frequently travel long distances.
ambulance facility
Responding to a suggestion by Prashant CV, president of the Thiruvananthapuram branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), K-Rail Managing Director V. Ajit Kumar said that each cabin in the proposed trains will be designed in such a way that they can be converted into ambulances for carrying patients.
Peringmala Ramachandran, leader of the Kerala Vyapari Vyapari Ekopana Samiti, said that carrying vegetables and other perishable goods in the semi-high-speed train could prevent the wastage of the current 30% and reduce the cost of the commodities.
Cardinal Basilios Klemis Catholicos, the head of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, called for an early distribution of compensation for those whose assets will be acquired for the project.
Metropolitan Gabriel Mar Gregorios of the Thiruvananthapuram diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church stressed the need for a mass campaign at the grassroots level to pacify all sections of the society, especially those who stood to lose their ground.
Palayam Imam VP Suhaib Moulvi requested the government to vacate as many places of worship and cemeteries as possible during land acquisition in view of the paucity of vacant places for them. Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust (Shivagiri Madham) President Swami Satchidananda said that compulsions related to faith should not be given priority while striving for human welfare.
Dancer Neena Prasad said the project was a dream come true for many women, who commute long distances daily for their livelihood. He said that arrangements for the safety of women should be ensured during the journey.
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