THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The meeting between the chief secretaries of Karnataka and Kerala, which floated the idea of getting the centre's approval by modifying the controversial SilverLine project to benefit Karnataka, took place a month ago.

The topic was discussed in the meeting between Kerala Chief Secretary V P Joy and his Karnataka counterpart Vandita Sharma. Later, the project document was handed over as per Karnataka’s demand.

The chief secretaries assessed that the project will be equally beneficial for Mangalore and Vizhinjam ports. It is against this backdrop that Kerala tried to discuss the issue in the South Indian Council meeting held in Kovalam under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

According to Kerala’s plan, the centre cannot reject the demand, if it is put forward by the BJP government in Karnataka. Kerala's promise is to extend the SilverLine to Mangaluru and make it a high-speed connectivity between Vizhinjam and Mangalore ports. However, Karnataka will have to bear the cost.

Meanwhile, 45.92 km long railway should be built in order to extend SilverLine to Mangaluru. Kerala has put forward an offer that if Karnataka spends Rs 5510.4 crore, then they will get a high-speed railway in the state. Once the Vizhinjam port becomes a reality, high-speed movement of goods between the two ports will also be made possible.