Renewed Hopes for Kerala's Ambitious SilverLine Project

The Kerala government's SilverLine project is back in the spotlight after Union Minister Piyush Goyal's address at the Invest Kerala Global Summit. The semi-high-speed rail corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod faced delays due to protests. Recent developments suggest that if Kerala resolves concerns, the project may proceed.

The SilverLine project in Kerala, initially stalled due to public opposition, is once again under discussion after being highlighted at the Invest Kerala Global Summit by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The ambitious rail project aims to link Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod with a semi-high-speed corridor, dramatically reducing travel time to four hours.

Goyal emphasized the transformative potential of SilverLine, alongside other infrastructure projects like the Vizhinjam deep-sea port. Despite previous roadblocks, including public protests and delays in obtaining central government approvals, the project received renewed interest following a statement by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vaishnaw urged Kerala to address technical and environmental issues to move forward.

Opposition from political parties such as Congress and BJP continues, citing environmental and displacement concerns. However, Goyal's assurance of the Union government's commitment to the state's development has revitalized conversations about SilverLine's future. Officials from Kerala Rail Development Corporation have also engaged in discussions with Southern Railway authorities, signaling incremental progress.

(With inputs from agencies.)