THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in the Assembly that the general sentiment was that the SilverLine project should be implemented as soon as possible. He was responding during an adjournment motion discussion on the Silver Line project. He also rejected the claim that the rail line will pass through environmentally vulnerable areas.

"When did the Opposition realize that the project was not practical? The project is being implemented for future generations. So it must be implemented. The opposition is attempting to undermine the development process. The project will nurture the economic condition of the state. There is nothing unusual about borrowing money. The state will have 40 years for repayment. The argument that the project will destroy the Western Ghats is baseless. The rail line will pass through a tunnel at Madayipara. The stone for the construction work will be obtained from the tunnel being constructed for the project. In order to oppose the project, some are alleging that the project will cost Rs 2 lakh crore. A compensation of Rs 9 crore will be provided for every one hectare. SilverLine is Kerala's joint venture with the Railways. It will not divide the state into two. Two-foot-high walls will not be erected anywhere in the state as part of the project. Some are uprooting the stones by hiding these facts," the CM said.

Opposition leader VD Satheesan was highly critical of the project during the discussion. He alleged that the SilverLine was a project that would destroy Kerala and the public transport system.

"The government is trying to implement the project for the elite. The government is trying to implement SilverLine by leaving KSRTC to die a natural death. Kerala won't be able to afford the huge debts caused by the project. The entire state will become a victim of the project," Satheesan said.

"It is the dictators who blame those who oppose them. The project should not be implemented by oppressing those who oppose it. We won't allow anyone to turn Kerala into a banana republic," the opposition leader said.