SilverLine Project Revived as Minister Goyal Signals Support at Invest Kerala Summit.

The Kerala government's stalled SilverLine project has received renewed attention after Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted its potential at the Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS). Describing the semi-high-speed rail corridor as a transformative initiative, Goyal underscored its role in reducing travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod to just four hours.

The 530-km project, a joint venture between the Kerala government and the Ministry of Railways under K-Rail, was put on hold due to widespread protests, opposition from political parties, and delays in securing central approvals. However, a fresh boost came when Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw indicated that the project could proceed if Kerala addressed technical and environmental concerns.

During his visit to Kerala last year, Vaishnaw discussed the matter with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in New Delhi. Subsequently, officials from the Kerala Rail Development Corporation held talks with Southern Railway authorities in December to explore potential solutions.

Despite these developments, opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, remain firm in their objections, citing concerns over large-scale displacement and environmental impact.

Goyal’s statements at the summit, along with his assurance of the Union government’s commitment to Kerala’s infrastructure development, have reignited discussions on SilverLine’s future, raising hopes for its revival.

ET