It is the responsibility of the LDF government to address the various concerns regarding the project.
The Kerala government is facing political heat over its ambitious 540-km-long semi-high speed railway project, Silverline, which proposes to reduce travel time between Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in the north. The project also aspires to open up greener areas for development, reduce highways and reduce Kerala’s carbon footprint. The government has pegged the cost of Silverline at Rs 63,941 crore. K-Rail, a central and state joint venture, will execute the project. Kerala holds 51% stake in K-Rail and the rest is with the Union Ministry of Railways.
concerns
Congress-led UDF, BJP and environmentalists have said that the project presents serious environmental issues. A UDF fact-finding sub-committee found that a 4 to 10 meter high steep railway embankment for the track would geographically isolate the state. This causeway will run uninterrupted for at least 250 km. This blockage will obstruct the natural drainage and increase the flooding during monsoon. The UDF said the government will have to hollow out the Western Ghats so that enough granite can be excavated to raise the rail blockade. It said Silverline would encompass large expanses of ecologically fragile wetlands and mangrove forests.
Leader of the Opposition VD Satishan termed it as a white elephant. He said that the scheme is an irreplaceable debt of more than Rs 1,24,000 crore on the public. Mr. Satishan also accused the administration of not publishing environmental impact studies and of being opaque about the project.
BJP state president K. Surendran said the Center is skeptical about the financial and environmental viability of Silverline. The Union Railway Minister had apprised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan about the Centre’s reservation. The Center had envisaged an elevated high-speed railway corridor, would hug the Silverline terrain, would require the construction of multiple underpasses and still would not serve the purpose of the MRTS, he said.
Congress and BJP have said that there will be street protests if the government does not remove the silverline. Both sides have suggested a network of smaller greenfield airports and an enhanced railway network to address the public transport crisis.
However, the government seems to have crossed the Rubicon. It has recently appointed special revenue officers to expedite land acquisition and ensure speedy rehabilitation of displaced families and distribution of compensation. The proposed track will pass through 11 districts. Silverline will need to acquire 1,198 hectares of private land and effect 9,314 buildings at an estimated cost of ₹13,362.32 crore. The government has raised Rs 2,000 crore from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) for the initial phase of land acquisition. He is in touch with international agencies to take loans at low interest. The administration is also exploring options for Silverline to raise funds from the open financial market through KIIFB.
LDF says Congress and BJP are ‘anti-development’ for strongly opposing Silverline. Mr Vijayan has said that the apprehensions of the opposition are wrong. He said Silverline would bypass population centers and use elevated paths to bypass rivers, lakes, forests and ecologically fragile land and cause minimal displacement.
remove fear
A comprehensive environmental impact study would serve the public interest. The government should remove perceived opacity about the financial viability, social impact and execution of the project. The fear of families and businesses displacing Silverline must also be allayed by the government. It should ensure prompt and adequate compensation for the displaced. Any attempt to bulldoze Silverline could lead to social and political upheaval.
anand.g@thehindu.co.in
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