160 km Railway speed line not compatible with Silverline; solving environmental issues not easy; multiple problems to implement K-rail

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It will be very difficult to implement the Silver Line project by solving the technical and environmental issues pointed out by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The Railways will not give in to any project that sabotages its development. The anti-Silverline People's Committee said it would resume agitation. People gathered at the old protest pandal at Kattilapeedika in Kozhikode and started a dharna yesterday itself.

The railways aim to build new tracks parallel to the existing lines for trains with a top speed of 160 kmph. With this, Vande Bharat, which runs the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod service in seven-and-a-half hours, will take less than six hours. More Vande Bharat services will also come. Three to four tracks will be impossible if the land is given for the silver line.

The route passes through railway safety zones at 17 places. The railways has informed the Centre that it cannot release 108 hectares of land in nine districts. The railways is opposed to the construction of the Silver Line on the standard gauge as it cannot be connected to other rail lines.

Kozhikode, Kannur and Thrissur stations of the Silver Line are on railway land. Thrissur station will be divided into two. The silver line is close to the Thiruvananthapuram, Angamaly and Aluva tracks.

At the same time, K-Rail is planning to change the alignment up to 10 metres so that the rail system is not affected. More flyovers and underground roads will come up. Land can be given in lieu of the land given away. Stations, buildings and facilities can be constructed elsewhere. The Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram divisions are opposed to this.

Flood threat

The route passes through 164 flood-prone areas. According to the DPR, the silverline is one to eight metres above the maximum flood level. The maximum flood level is 15 metres. 93% of the path is in uncertain soil. Stations including Kollam are on farm land.

Railway projects that will be in shambles

1. Shornur-Palakkad 3rd and 4th tracks
2. Mangaluru-Shornur 3rd and 4th tracks
3. Shornur-Ernakulam-Kottayam 3rd Track
4. Kottayam-Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari 3rd track

"Silverline is not a technically feasible project. It will have a big impact."

- E Sreedharan, Metroman