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The proposed SilverLine semi-high speed rail project in Kerala has become a focal point of political contention, with the Opposition raising serious accusations against the Centre's recent change of stance on the project. After Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw indicated that the Centre would consider the project if environmental and technical issues were addressed, the Opposition and the K-Rail SilverLine Virudha Janakeeya Samiti, a group vehemently opposed to the project, have accused the Centre of a deal with the Left government in Kerala. This shift in the Centre's stance, they allege, is not based on genuine considerations but rather on a quid pro quo arrangement.
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, K. Sudhakaran, has condemned the Centre's decision, characterizing it as a reciprocal gesture to fulfill the ambitions of a BJP MP in Kerala. He further criticized the State government's insistence on the project, claiming it is motivated by a desire for commission, despite its potential environmental damage and mass displacement of people. The Congress party has vowed to resist the project through sustained protests.
Echoing similar concerns, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has stated that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will oppose any attempt to replicate Sri Lanka's economic model in Kerala. He declared that even if the Centre grants permission for the project, the UDF will not allow its implementation in Kerala. This firm stance reflects the UDF's apprehension about the project's potential negative impact on the state's economy and the livelihoods of its people.
The K-Rail SilverLine Virudha Janakeeya Samiti, in a statement, highlighted the irony of the government's pursuit of development projects while neglecting the urgent needs of landslide victims in Wayanad. They view the SilverLine project as a further act of oppression against the people, demanding that the government prioritize their well-being and desist from forced evictions. The samiti has warned of serious repercussions if the project is implemented by force, emphasizing the anti-people nature of policies that threaten the state's existence.
The controversy surrounding the SilverLine project has exposed deep divisions within Kerala's political landscape, with the ruling party and the Centre on one side and the Opposition and various civil society groups on the other. The debate has also raised critical questions about the role of development projects in a state grappling with environmental concerns, economic disparities, and social unrest. The project's future remains uncertain, but the fierce opposition it has garnered suggests that it will continue to be a contentious issue in the state's political arena.
Source: Opposition smells a rat in Centre’s change of mind on SilverLine