The Kerala state government has renewed its efforts to secure approval for the ambitious SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project, aiming to link Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state’s Railway Minister V Abdurahiman met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to press for the project’s approval, alongside other key demands related to railway infrastructure development.
The SilverLine project, estimated to cost ₹64,000 crore, has been in limbo due to the Union Railway Ministry’s hesitation to grant final clearance, citing concerns about its techno-economic feasibility. However, after the meeting, Kerala’s ministers expressed optimism, with the Union Minister promising to give the project “favourable consideration” following further bureaucratic discussions.
The meeting follows Vijayan’s earlier discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August, during which several state-level railway issues were raised. Alongside SilverLine, the state is also seeking progress on the long-delayed Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari rail project and an expansion of the railway network by increasing tracks to three or four in key sections.
The SilverLine project, which is being promoted by K-Rail Corporation, aims to cut travel time between the northern and southern parts of the state, providing a faster, more efficient alternative to the existing rail infrastructure. However, the project has faced significant opposition, particularly during a survey conducted across the state, which triggered protests over environmental concerns and potential displacement issues.
Despite these challenges, the state government remains committed to pushing the project forward. Kerala has cited the high passenger load on the newly introduced Vande Bharat trains as an indication of the demand for faster rail services, positioning SilverLine as a necessary upgrade to meet future transportation needs.
The Centre has not yet provided a final decision, and the project’s fate rests on further negotiations, including reworked proposals led by prominent figures such as Metroman E Sreedharan.
