Thiruvananthapuram, March 14 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday announced that the Government is ready to discuss issues related to the proposed Semi High-Speed Rail (Silver Line) Project in the State Legislative Assembly. The Chief Minister announced this when Congress member PC Vishnunath sought the leave of the House to move an adjustment motion on the Silver Line Project. Following which, Assembly Speaker MB Rajesh allowed discussion on the matter. Earlier, the Chief Minister reiterated that he will not back down from the K-Rail project. He said the 530 km long Silver Line Project connecting Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram will transform Kerala’s transport infrastructure. The project (K-Rail) will transform Kerala’s transport infrastructure and contribute to overall development, including that of tourism, he added. “The Rs 63,941 crore green project will reduce travel time between the North and South ends of Kerala to just four hours.” He also assured that adequate compensation will be given for the acquisition of land for the implementation of the project. Earlier, Finance Minister KN Balagipal said he will persuade the Centre for the project. The project will be implemented after addressing the concerns of the people and convincing on the project, he added. Earlier, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) announced a door to door campaign to create awareness on the project while the Congress-led ted Democratic Front (UDF) also announced a similar campaign against the implementation of the project in the coming days. DS SY 1300
