NEW DELHI: The central government on Friday submitted an affidavit in the Kerala high court stating that the DPR for the K-Rail project was not yet approved and that it was under the consideration of the Railway Board. According to the Centre, it was better to suspend the land acquisition process as the DPR was not yet approved. It also stated that the DPR did not mention the technical feasibility. K-Rail has been asked to provide a detailed technical feasibility report, including an alignment plan. The affidavit also said that the scheme would not be financially successful with ticket revenue alone.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Twitter that land could not be acquired without conducting a final location survey. A detailed land plan is also required. The Railway Minister said that E Sreedharan had pointed out serious technical errors.

The Union Railway Minister's response came after Union Minister V Muraleedhan, BJP state presidents K Surendran, E Sreedharan and Kummanam Rajasekharan met him and asked him not to allow the project to go ahead. The BJP state leaders informed the minister that the project would adversely affect the environment and economy of Kerala.