Thiruvananthapuram: As protests against the ambitious SilverLine semi high-speed rail project being planned by the Kerala Government gathers steam the State administration has drawn up a counter-campaign. Even as it prepares to clear up apprehensions raised by the Union Railway Ministry, a social media campaign has been launched to dispel fears of the public and other sections opposed to the new rail corridor linking both the extremes of the state.
The official reply to the questions raised by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during his meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan last October is being prepared. The minutes of the meeting were handed over by the Union Railway Ministry to the State Government the other day.
The Kerala Rail Development Corporation or K-Rail, which is executing the SilverLine project, will reply to the apprehensions raised in the minutes.
The Railway Ministry had conveyed to the State that the details furnished in the SilverLine project report were not conclusive. The Ministry also wanted to know how the State Government arrived at such a huge project cost, over Rs 63,000 crore.
The Union Railway Minister had told the Members of Parliament representing the opposition United Democratic Front the other day that no decision has been taken so far on the project. He informed them that any final decision would be taken after getting the report of the ongoing feasibility study.
The Minister also made it clear that the Railways was not ready to meet the financial liability of the project. He told them that the State Government did not give a proper clarification on the project cost and the information furnished was inadequate.
CM launches social media campaign
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has, meanwhile, officially launched a social media campaign in favour of the SilverLine project. He shared an awareness video in support of the project.
In the video, he said that the project would not only result in the development of the transport sector but also lead to comprehensive development of the State.
Pinarayi said that there was an attempt to scuttle the project by a section by spreading canard.
The State boasted of a great tradition in defeating any attempt to scuttle safe and sustainable projects, he added, and urged the public to join together to make the project a great success.