KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has dismissed a set of petitions which demanded that the Silverline semi-high-speed rail project should be abandoned as it was not a profitable project. While ruling that it could not interfere in the policy decision of the government, the court stated that the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act should be strictly followed before acquiring land.

The petitions were filed by the Kottayam Mulakkulam Residents Welfare Association. The High Court recorded the government's explanation that the project would be implemented only with the permission of the central government and the railways. The petitioners contended that the government was in a hurry to go ahead with the project that would create a huge financial liability for the state. Thye also stated that the railways and the NITI Aayog had pointed out shortcomings in the project report.