Chennai: A delegation of BJP leaders from Kerala met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi to show their opposition against the semi high-speed rail project proposed by the Kerala government between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargode.
According to a tweet on ANI, Union Minister V Muraleedharan said, "We met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Delhi to register strong protest against Kerala Govt's proposed semi high-speed rail project, which is detrimental to state's economy and ecology. It is mooted only to fill CPI-M's coffers."
"We've briefed the Railways Minister properly. We presented before him all problems it will bring to Kerala. He has been fully convinced about it and feels that it is not the right time to proceed with it," he said.
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The Thiruvanthapuram-Kasargod Semi High Speed Railway Project or Silverline Project is a 529.45 km corridor connecting Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram with the rail operating at a speed of 200 kmph. The Silverline project is expected to ease the transport between North and South ends of the state.
Once the rail line is laid the travel time between the two lines will reduce by 4 hours compared to the present 10 to 12 hours, said the Kerala rail government website.
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The project will also connect to the intermediate stations including Kollam, Chengannur, Ernakulam, Kochi Airport, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur.