New Delhi : UDF and BJP jointly endeavour to upend the semi high-speed rail project, SilverLine, that forms part of comprehensive development for the state. A letter seeking to not grant approval for the project, has been shot to the Railways Minister Aswini Vaishnavi and the signatories of which are : 17 UDF MPs, Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan KC Venugopal and Puthuchery Lok Sabha member Vaithalingam.
According to Kodikunnil Suresh, also one of among the letter’s signatories, the rail minister is slated to hold talks 3 pm Wednesday, with all MPs who signed up the request. Other UDF MPs from state, Rahul Gandhi, Shasi Tharoor and AK Antony have not signed the said letter.
According to Kodikunnil, they have fairly convinced the minister that the project is unsuited to environment or circumstances of Kerala. “The government’s land acquisition process for the project is fueled by ulterior motives. The policy with massive eviction implications will wipe out numerous schools, places of worship, health facilities and businesses that fall in its path,” quotes the letter.
Kodikunnil further claimed the minister assured that the centre would take final call on rail project only after considering the views of MPs from Kerala. He reportedly met with the Railways minister at Rail Mantralaya. Incidentally, the dissent on Silverline comes concurrent to Deputy Union Minister V Muraleedharan’s opposition to the project.
The MPs say they will also write in same vein to the Prime Minister, Union Finance minister, Environment-Forest Minister and Niti Aayog Vice Chairman. CPI(M) Legislature Party Leader in Rajya Sabha, Elamaram Kareem responded saying, the Railways Minister will be urged for to consider views of all MPs from Kerala relating to the project.
