State of play
An ongoing survey has sharply divided public opinion in Kerala, with the Opposition parties led by the Congress and a section of people alleging it to be a part of the land acquisition process for a proposed semi-high speed railway project along the State’s geographical length.
The social, economic and environmental feasibility of the ₹63,941 crore standalone SilverLine rail corridor — the Centre has not accorded its approval as yet — has already been called into question by experts, political opponents and concerned environmentalists. The Government, however, insists that what is under way is a social impact study and has got a shot in the arm when the Supreme Court of India, on March 28, refused to grant a stay on the survey.
