UDF Urged to Apologize for Halting Kerala's Silverline Project

M V Govindan from CPI(M) has called on the UDF government to apologize to the people of Kerala for allegedly blocking the Silverline high-speed rail project, which was intended to boost state development and significantly cut travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod.

M V Govindan, state secretary of the CPI(M), has urged the Congress-led UDF government to offer an apology to Kerala's citizens for the hindrance of the Silverline project. He argues that the initiative, aimed at cutting travel time significantly across the state, represents a missed developmental opportunity.

His comments follow reports indicating that Metroman E Sreedharan has provided the UDF government with a proposal concerning a predominantly elevated rail corridor. Govindan assured that although the Left was open to high-speed rail projects, he doubts the UDF can carry out such a project without using it for promotional purposes.

He further criticized the UDF for not only opposing Silverline through protests but also ultimately canceling the project upon assuming power. Govindan affirmed that while the Left supports beneficial public projects, the state requires such infrastructure for continued growth.

The ambitious Silverline project, a collaboration between the Kerala government and the Ministry of Railways, was expected to cut travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod to four hours. However, it faced extensive opposition, leading to its official termination in May.