Kerala's SilverLine: why it has been arranged, why it is confronting fights

Fights are occurring across Kerala against SilverLine, a semi high velocity rail line project that conceives trains running at 200 km/h between the state's northern and southern closures. The task, assessed to cost Rs 63,940 crore, is charged as one of the greatest framework plans being moved by the Pinarayi Vijayan government.

What is the SilverLine project?

The proposed 529.45-km line will connect Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in the north, covering 11 regions through 11 stations. At the point when the undertaking is finished, one can head out from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram in under four hours at 200 km/hr. On the current Indian Railways organization, it presently requires 12 hours. The cutoff time for the undertaking, being executed by the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), is 2025. KRDCL, or K-Rail, is a joint endeavor between the Kerala government and the Union Ministry of Railways made to execute huge rail route projects.

What was the requirement for the SilverLine project?

Metropolitan approach specialists have for quite some time been contending that the current rail line foundation in Kerala can't satisfy the needs of things to come. Most trains run at a normal speed of 45 km/hr because of a great deal of bends and twists on the current stretch. The public authority guarantees the SilverLine task can take a critical heap of traffic off the current stretch and make travel quicker for workers, which thusly will diminish clog on streets and assist with lessening mishaps.

The public authority guarantees the line will likewise lessen ozone harming substance discharges, help in extension of Ro-Ro administrations, produce business openings, coordinate air terminals and IT hallways, and empower quicker advancement of urban communities it goes through.

What are its elements?

As per K-Rail, the undertaking will have trains of electric numerous unit (EMU) type, each with ideally nine vehicles extendable to 12. A nine-vehicle rake can situate a limit of 675 travelers in business and standard class settings. The trains can run at a greatest speed of 220 km/hr on a standard measure track, finishing ventures one or the other way in less than four hours.

According to the arrangement, the railroad line, starting from Thiruvananthapuram, will have stations in Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam (Kakkanad), Cochin Airport, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur prior to finishing in Kasaragod (see map). The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has as of now offered 1 sections of land for the station there.

Of the 11 stations, three will be raised (Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur), one underground (Kozhikode) and the rest at grade. At each 500 meters, there will be under-sections with administration streets.

Where does the undertaking stand now?

The state government has started the course of land securing later the Cabinet endorsed this in June this year. Out of 1,383 hectares should have been obtained, 1,198 hectares will be private land. The Cabinet has likewise supported managerial authorization to get Rs 2,100 crore from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), the focal speculation arm of the public authority.

As a component of the main phase of procurement, neighborhood income and K-Rail authorities are on the ground, outlining land and setting limit stones. This is done to provide the authorities with a feeling of how much private land should be procured and the quantity of families who will be uprooted. While CM Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning his 'own mediation' to give every essential leeway, the Center has just given on a fundamental level endorsement to the venture. The line is relied upon to be developed utilizing value assets from the Kerala government, the Center and advances from multilateral loaning offices.

For what reason are there challenges the task?

Ideological groups like the Congress, BJP and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) just as resident outfits, for example, K-Rail SilverLine Viruddha Janakeeya Samiti have been initiating separate fights. A request endorsed by 17 Opposition MPs from the state said the venture was an "galactic trick really taking shape" and would sink the state further into obligation. The request, addressed to the Union Railways Minister, said the undertaking was monetarily unviable and would prompt relocation of north of 30,000 families. The Samiti and green activists affirm that SilverLine would cause incredible natural mischief as its course slices through valuable wetlands, paddy fields and slopes. The Samiti said the structure of dikes on one or the other side of the significant part of the line will hinder normal seepage and cause floods during weighty downpours. The Kerala Paristhiti Aikya Vedi, a discussion of environment specialists, has encouraged the public authority to forsake the project and investigate manageable arrangements.

E Sreedharan, previous Delhi Metro head who has joined the BJP, named the undertaking "half-baked" and inadequately arranged. He said the current proposition needs a ton of adjustment including its fundamental track width.