Kerala state to make E Sreedharan's semi-rail possible; KV Thomas tasked to know central position

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has decided to move ahead with the semi-high-speed rail project proposed by E Sreedharan instead of the Silver Line. Special representative KV Thomas in Delhi has been tasked with seeking central approval. He has sought permission to meet Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Decision has been made to send Sreedharan's proposal in the form of a plan after knowing the central position. The attempt is to obtain approval before the elections.

The Centre denied permission for the Silver Line citing environmental and technical issues. Sreedharan's Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur alternative route is a route with less land acquisition and is constructed through pillars and tunnels. Like the Silver Line, this is also 200 kmph on standard gauge. There are stations at intervals of 30 km. It was 50 km on the Silver Line.

The Railways has proposed to allow two new lines with a speed of 160 km per hour along the existing railway line. The Kerala government, which is opposing this, has informed the Centre that the alignment may be changed if the railway does not release the land. Sreedharan's alternative plan came up in the meanwhile. Sreedharan has given the government a two-page project document. The government is trying to get approval for the alternative plan using Sreedharan. Sreedharan wants the DMRC to be given the responsibility of construction. They will be the ones who prepare the new project document. DMRC's method is to give subcontracts. Therefore, there is a possibility that K-Rail Corporation will also get the contract.

Cost will increase

The expected cost of the Silver Line up to Kasaragod was 78,000 crores. However, the alternative route up to Kannur will cost one lakh crores. Since there are restrictions on the loan limit, it is not clear how the money will be found.

Silver Line project will not be abandoned

1. Even when trying to come up with an alternative project, the government has not announced that it has abandoned the Silver Line. The cases of people obstructing the laying of stones for land acquisition have not been withdrawn either. When 6,300 stones were laid over a distance of 190 km, more than 600 people were made accused in 60 cases.
2. If the government had announced that the project had been abandoned, the cases could have been written off. The government has not given in even though the High Court said that it would be appropriate to withdraw the cases.

Amount spent so far on the Silver Line: 100 crores

Cost of one kilometer of expressway: 120 crores

K-Rail will not come: E. Sreedharan

PALAKKAD: Metroman E Sreedharan said that there is no possibility of K-Rail coming and that the Chief Minister and the government have understood the alternative proposal he gave. "This project will not cause much trouble to the people. The Chief Minister is only concerned about the assurance given by the Central Government in this regard," Sreedharan told the media.

"If the state informs the Center that it has abandoned K-Rail, the new line will get approval. However, Kerala has not said that due to its shyness. Plans are currently underway to implement the alternative proposal I gave. The project requires the approval of the Railway Ministry. I have proposed a project with minimal environmental impact and land acquisition. I had requested the Chief Minister to write a letter for the approval of the Railway Ministry. I had also said that I would intervene and get the Central approval but that letter has not been sent yet," Sreedharan added.