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Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan reaffirmed his commitment to the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project, calling it an inevitable step in the state's infrastructure development. Despite strong political opposition and lack of central approval, Vijayan emphasized the project's long-term importance for reducing travel time across the state and boosting connectivity. The proposed 529.45-km corridor would cut travel from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod from 12 to under 4 hours. He accused the Centre of politically motivated resistance and noted efforts by experts like E Sreedharan to find middle-ground solutions. The government remains firm that SilverLine is vital for Kerala's mobility, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Kerala's Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan expressed strong confidence that the state's ambitious SilverLine railway project will ultimately come to fruition despite significant political opposition from both opposition parties and the central government. Speaking at a press conference commemorating the fourth anniversary of his administration, Vijayan asserted that the development of Kerala's railway network, particularly the SilverLine, is inevitable, stating that if it does not happen today, it will happen tomorrow. Advertisement
The SilverLine project is a proposed 529.45-kilometre semi-high-speed rail corridor designed to connect Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in the north. This new corridor aims to reduce travel time between the two ends dramatically-from around 12 hours currently to under four hours-offering a major boost to the state's infrastructure and connectivity.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the project, Vijayan clarified that rail development in Kerala is contingent on receiving approval from the central government. He expressed disappointment over the denial of permission, attributing the move to politically driven resistance rather than any real issue with the proposal's feasibility. He accused the Centre of siding with those opposing the project for political reasons, despite the broader national narrative advocating for infrastructure-led progress.
The Chief Minister noted that when his government decided to pause the project amid widespread protests, renowned engineer and infrastructure expert E Sreedharan, often referred to as the 'Metroman,' had come forward with a suggestion that had minimal opposition. This, he said, demonstrated the existence of a viable middle path. Vijayan further mentioned that he personally took the matter up with the Union Railway Minister, and the state's special representative in Delhi, K V Thomas, also followed up with the central authorities-yet no response had been received.
Despite these setbacks, Vijayan maintained that his government remained committed to railway modernisation and viewed the SilverLine project as a crucial step in transforming Kerala's transport ecosystem. The government continues to regard the project as essential to enhancing mobility, driving economic growth, and providing long-term environmental benefits by shifting a portion of the state's travel demand from road to rail.
The Chief Minister's remarks reflect a long-term vision that seeks to prioritise public benefit over political rivalry. Whether the project is revived under the current leadership or in the years to come, its foundational value in Kerala's infrastructure strategy remains firmly intact.
Source - PTI
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