THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is ready to listen to those who have raised strong objections against the technical aspects of SilverLine, including former railway engineer Alok Verma. However, Alok Verma has said that he will participate in talks on SilverLine, but is not interested if the issue is K-Rail. ‘I had requested to hold talks with the chief minister several times, but failed to get an opportunity’, he said. Following which, Alok Verma was invited to take part in the talks scheduled on April 28. In addition to Verma, Subodh Jain, R V G Menon and Joseph C Mathew will also attend the talks.

Alok Verma had earlier termed things being said about K-Rail as a complete lie. He had also said that the geological survey was not conducted and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was half-baked. He had demanded to meet with the chief minister or any other official assigned by him. As a result of this controversy, Verma was invited for the talks on April 28.

The first study on the semi high-speed railway project was conducted under the leadership of Alok Verma. He had placed a report stating that a standard gauge is not beneficial in the SilverLine project and asked to replace it with a broad gauge. However, K-Rail MD denied receiving such a report. But Alok Verma said that the K-Rail MD had himself signed a five-page reply to his report.