Thiruvananthapuram : Congress and BJP struggle to mount “political” opposition to Kerala’s dream project of semi high-speed rail, Silverline. Though there is no hindrance to the project, they are groping in the dark to grab a cat there isn’t. In total disregard for the future it spells for state, some media too are engaged in misleading the public. The Centre in its note asked state to examine the financial burden involved - a instruction that's been versed into “collapse of the project” by some news makers. Congress and BJP’s opposition stems from their fear of credit the project will bring to the government, once it becomes operational. They are in effect opposing development, tourism and employment avenues for the state.
It is government’s decision to keep land acquisitions and demolitions to minimum on one hand, at the same time give away maximum compensations. In what was originally estimated to be razing down of a quarter-lakh buildings, slated for demolition are now just nine thousand. Plan has been drawn to preserve paddy fields and water bodies. Tunnels shall be built to keep down land acquisitions,
As Opposition Leader in 2020, Ramesh Chennithala in his letter to CM said he was not opposed to development. During discussions over adjournment motion on the topic, PK Kunjalikutty had said he was “not opposed to the project, rather doubts should be allayed.”
Interestingly, V Muraleedharan and K Surendran who ask for the project to be scrapped, are not raising that demand with the Centre.
LDF government carried through the four-lane highway project and GAIL pilpeline with public backing. It will accomplish Silverline too the similar way.
